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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Bastia: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
The main economic city of Haute-Corse, Bastia charms with its picturesque Old Port, the Terra Nova citadel, and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church overlooking the harbor. Less touristy than Ajaccio or Porto-Vecchio, Bastia retains an authenticity that attracts a growing number of visitors. Vacation rental regulations reflect this intermediate situation: a regulatory framework that is present but less restrictive than in Corsican seaside resorts, adapted to a city of 48,000 inhabitants that remains primarily an economic and port hub.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Not required
Compensation
Rental day limit in Bastia
In Bastia, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Primary residence vacation rental is permitted in Bastia up to 120 days per year. This cap applies uniformly, from the Old Port and the Terra Nova citadel to the residential neighborhoods of Lupino or Montesoro. Night counting is done via the national online service and owners must be able to justify compliance with this limit if inspected by municipal services.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Bastia beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Bastia
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Bastia, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Not required.
Bastia does not require compensation for listing a property as a vacation rental. This flexibility reflects lower tourist pressure than in southern Corsica or along the Bastia coast. The Old Port and Terra Nova citadel see growing visitor numbers but the Bastia housing market remains more accessible than in the island's seaside resorts. Owners in the Toga quarter as well as those on Place Saint-Nicolas can offer their property without compensation constraints.
Quotas and restrictions in Bastia
No quotas in effect
Bastia has not implemented quotas on vacation rentals. The municipality considers that the current level of seasonal supply does not threaten the residential housing balance. Statistical tracking of registrations nevertheless enables detection of any concerning trend, particularly in the historic center around the Old Port and Rue Napoléon, the main shopping street connecting Place Saint-Nicolas to the citadel.
Fines and enforcement in Bastia
In Bastia, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Fines for violations of Bastia regulations can reach €50,000. Inspections remain proportionate to the size of the city's seasonal rental market. Checks mainly focus on registration compliance and the 120-day cap, with particular attention to Old Port and citadel properties that concentrate most of the tourist offering.
Specific rules in Bastia
- Municipal registration is mandatory for all Bastia vacation rentals, whether the property is in the Terra Nova citadel, the Old Port, or the residential neighborhoods of the upper town.
- The registration number must be displayed on all listings and communicated to booking platforms, in accordance with obligations applicable within the Bastia metropolitan area.
- Old Port condominiums, often housed in 17th and 18th century Genoese buildings, may contain restrictive clauses on short-term rentals in their rules.
- The tourist tax is due for each night and remitted to the Bastia metropolitan area, which funds tourist infrastructure and maintenance of the port heritage.
- Properties within the Terra Nova citadel perimeter, classified as a historic monument, are subject to the Architecte des Bâtiments de France's approval for any modification affecting the building's exterior appearance.
Energy rating (DPE): Energy performance certification is mandatory for Bastia vacation rentals. The Old Port and Terra Nova buildings, constructed in the Genoese architectural tradition with thick stone walls, offer good thermal inertia. However, old windows and stone slab roofing often need improvements to meet the performance levels required by national regulations.
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
Bastia applies a relatively flexible regulatory framework compared to other Corsican or mainland cities. Registration is mandatory and the cap is 120 days for primary residences, but no compensation is required and there are no quotas. This approach reflects a developing tourism market that does not yet threaten the city's residential balance.
The Old Port with its colorful Genoese-inspired buildings, the Terra Nova citadel with its sea views, and Place Saint-Nicolas, the largest square in France after the Quinconces in Bordeaux, are the most sought-after areas. The Toga quarter, north of the Old Port, also attracts travelers for its marina and seafood restaurants.
No specific change-of-use authorization is required in Bastia, including in Terra Nova. However, exterior modifications within the perimeter of the listed citadel require the opinion of the Architecte des Bâtiments de France. Standard registration and the 120-day cap apply as in the rest of the city.
Yes, the tourist tax is due for each night and per adult. Its amount varies based on the rental classification. It is collected directly by the owner or automatically by booking platforms, then remitted to the Bastia metropolitan area. The proceeds fund the maintenance of port heritage and the city's tourist reception infrastructure.
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