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Bahrain

What licence do you need for short-term rentals in Bahrain?

Short-stay guest accommodation in Bahrain is regulated as a tourism activity. Operators are expected to hold the appropriate commercial registration and tourism licence issued under the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority framework, meet accommodation standards and keep guest records for the authorities.

Who the rules apply to

Owners and operators letting apartments, villas or serviced units to short-staying guests in Manama and across Bahrain. Building regulations, developer rules and freehold community bylaws can restrict short-term letting independently of national licensing.

What you must do to comply in Manama

  1. 01Confirm the property's permitted use and obtain building or community approval where it is required.
  2. 02Obtain the commercial registration covering tourism accommodation activity.
  3. 03Apply for the tourism licence and classification appropriate to the unit type through the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.
  4. 04Meet the safety, furnishing and service standards attached to the licence category.
  5. 05Maintain guest registration records and provide them to the authorities where required.
  6. 06Account for applicable tourism levies and VAT, and issue compliant invoices.

Penalties for non-compliance

Operating without the required registration and licence can result in fines and closure of the activity. Requirements are periodically updated, so verify the current framework with BTEA before listing.

Official sources

Not legal advice

This page is general information for property owners, not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental rules change frequently and vary by building, lease and district. Verify the current position with the official authority or a qualified local adviser before you list, and treat the review date above as the point at which this summary was last checked.

Rules in other markets

Let us handle compliance in Manama

We run licensing, guest registration and reporting as part of management, so the paperwork does not sit with you.

Speak to the Manama teamOur Manama deskGlossary