Ireland Rolls Out Major Rental Reforms
While providing long-term stability for expats, the six-year minimum tenancy requirement could drastically reduce the supply of flexible, short-term housing for digital nomads.
Ireland Rolls Out Major Rental Reforms
Ireland has officially implemented the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, fundamentally altering the country’s housing market. As of March 1, 2026, all new residential leases are subject to six-year minimum tenancies (TMDs). This legislation provides automatic tenure security; once you occupy a property for six months, you are legally entitled to remain for the full six-year period.
The reforms also introduce strict rent controls. Annual increases are now capped at the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 2%. While landlords can set initial rents at market value for new tenancies, they must justify their pricing using a new national Rent Price Register.
Who is impacted by the changes
The impact of these reforms depends heavily on your travel style and length of stay:
- Expats and long-term residents: You gain significant stability and protection against no-fault evictions. It is now much easier to plan finances, though you should expect higher initial market rates when signing a new lease.
- Digital nomads: The new framework creates a difficult environment for mid-term stays. Because the six-year TMD is the new standard, the supply of 3-12 month leases has dropped significantly. Many landlords have exited the market, and those remaining often charge between €1,500 and €2,000 monthly for new flexible agreements.
- Short-term travelers: If you are staying for 21 days or less, you fall under the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill rules, which remain separate from these residential reforms.
What to do next
If you are planning a move to Ireland, you need to adjust your housing strategy. Traditional apartment hunting for stays under a year is now more competitive and expensive. Look for specialized corporate housing or check nomad news for alternative flexible living providers that operate outside the standard TMD framework.
For those seeking long-term residency, ensure your landlord is registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Small landlords (those with three or fewer properties) still have limited rights to end a tenancy for property sales or personal use, whereas large-scale landlords are now almost entirely prohibited from no-fault evictions.
Read our full Ireland guide for the complete picture.