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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Ajaccio: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Capital of Corsica and birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio combines imperial heritage, Mediterranean beaches, and mountain scrubland. The city of 72,000 inhabitants faces intense seasonal tourist pressure, concentrated on the Old Port, the Genoese citadel, and the Sanguinaires beaches. Vacation rental regulations are set within the specific context of the Island of Beauty, where land scarcity and environmental constraints along the coastline make the housing question particularly sensitive.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
From the 2nd property
Compensation
Rental day limit in Ajaccio
In Ajaccio, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Ajaccio allows primary residence vacation rental up to 120 days per calendar year. This cap applies to the entire municipal territory, from the historic city center around the Maison Bonaparte to peripheral neighborhoods like Les Salines or Mezzavia. Night counting is tracked via the registration service and owners must be able to demonstrate compliance with the cap in case of inspection.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Ajaccio beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Ajaccio
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Ajaccio, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: From the 2nd property.
In Ajaccio, compensation is required from the second property listed as a vacation rental. The first property is exempt, but multi-property owners must compensate by creating equivalent housing. This measure targets investors who accumulate vacation rentals in the historic center near Place Foch and the cathedral, or along the gulf toward the Sanguinaires islands. Corsica's constrained land market sometimes makes this compensation complex to achieve.
Quotas and restrictions in Ajaccio
No specific quotas
Ajaccio has not established quotas limiting the number of vacation rentals by neighborhood. The city nevertheless monitors developments in the Old Port and historic center, where the concentration of short-term rentals is highest. The island nature of Corsica and natural land constraints already serve as a brake on real estate expansion, but the municipality remains attentive to the balance between tourism and residential life.
Fines and enforcement in Ajaccio
In Ajaccio, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Violations of Ajaccio regulations carry fines of up to €50,000. Inspections are intensified during the peak summer season, from June to September, when Ajaccio's population can triple. Municipal services verify the compliance of listings published on platforms, particularly for properties within the tourist perimeter of the Old Port and Cours Napoléon.
Specific rules in Ajaccio
- Registration is mandatory for all vacation rentals in Ajaccio, from the Napoleonic historic center to the seaside residences along the Sanguinaires road.
- Compensation is required from the second property, targeting multi-property investors in seasonal rentals around the Old Port and Place Foch.
- Properties within the Genoese citadel and old town perimeter are subject to heritage constraints of the protected area, limiting exterior modifications.
- The tourist tax is collected and remitted to the Pays Ajaccien metropolitan area, which manages tourism promotion and maintenance of infrastructure around the Gulf of Ajaccio.
- The Coastal Law applies with particular rigor in Corsica, and any extension or conversion of properties within the 100-meter coastal strip is subject to additional restrictions.
Energy rating (DPE): An energy performance certificate is required for all vacation rentals in Ajaccio. Corsica's Mediterranean climate means significant summer cooling needs that weigh on the energy assessment. Old buildings in the city center, built from cut stone and rubble, offer good natural thermal inertia but often need improvements to window and roof insulation.
Le Meur Law: the complete guide for property owners
Discover all measures of the Le Meur Law 2025: taxation, energy ratings, national registration, co-ownership, and mayoral powers.
See also: regulations in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
No, the first property listed as a vacation rental is exempt from compensation in Ajaccio. The obligation applies from the second property. This measure allows individuals to monetize their residence during the summer season while limiting the accumulation of vacation rentals by investors in the historic center and along the gulf.
The historic center around the Maison Bonaparte and Place Foch, the Old Port quarter, and the Sanguinaires road are the most sought-after areas. The Marinella and Ricanto beaches also attract strong summer demand. Rental prices there are the highest in Corsica, particularly during July and August.
The registration and 120-day cap obligations are identical. However, an apartment in the historic center near the cathedral is subject to conservation area constraints, while a villa on the Sanguinaires road falls under the Coastal Law. In both cases, compensation applies from the second property.
The very pronounced seasonality in Corsica, with a massive summer peak, has led the municipality to strengthen inspections from June to September. The 120-day cap can be reached very quickly if the property is rented exclusively during peak season. Owners should plan their night counter management to optimize their rental calendar while remaining compliant.
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