Create your free welcome book
Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Calais: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
The largest city in the Pas-de-Calais department by population, Calais is the main cross-Channel port linking France to England. The city of the Six Burghers, immortalised by Rodin, attracts visitors for its sandy beach, its UNESCO-listed belfry, its lighthouse and the International Lace and Fashion Centre. This city of 73,000 inhabitants, at the crossroads of tourist flows between the continent and the United Kingdom, regulates short-term rentals according to national regulations.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Not required
Compensation
Rental day limit in Calais
In Calais, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. A primary residence rented as tourist accommodation in Calais is subject to the national cap of 120 days per calendar year. This threshold covers all nights, whether the booking comes from an online platform or a direct contact. The Courgain Maritime and Calais-Nord neighbourhoods, close to the seafront, account for most of the tourist supply.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Calais beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Calais
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Calais, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Not required.
Calais does not require any compensation for properties converted into tourist rentals. Owners do not have to convert commercial floor areas into housing, even if they operate multiple properties as short-term rentals. The city regulates the activity through mandatory declaration and monitoring compliance with the day cap.
Quotas and restrictions in Calais
No
No quota has been established by the city of Calais to limit the number of tourist rentals. The market remains open but governed by declaration requirements. The municipality monitors supply trends in the seafront area and the Courgain Maritime neighbourhood, traditionally home to fishing families.
Fines and enforcement in Calais
In Calais, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Violations of tourist rental regulations in Calais can result in a civil fine of up to €50,000. Failure to declare, absence of a registration number on listings and exceeding the 120-day cap are the main targeted offences. The town hall works in coordination with booking platforms.
Specific rules in Calais
- Mandatory prior declaration with the Calais town hall, with a registration number to be mentioned on all listings.
- Tourist tax collected from guests and remitted to the Grand Calais Terres et Mers agglomeration authority according to the rates in effect.
- Compliance with safety standards for properties located in the port zone and buildings near the cross-Channel terminal.
- Information for British and international guests about residency rules, local currency and emergency services in France.
- Compliance with quiet hours in seafront residences, with particular attention during British school holiday periods.
Energy rating (DPE): Properties offered for tourist rental in Calais must have a valid EPC. Properties rated F or G have been excluded from short-term rental since 1 January 2025. This measure mainly affects houses in the Courgain Maritime neighbourhood and older buildings in Calais-Nord, which may require energy renovation work.
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
The declaration is made with the urban planning department of the Calais town hall, online or at the counter. Provide the full address of the property, its floor area, the number of sleeping places and a valid EPC. The registration number is issued within 15 days and must appear on all your rental listings, including on international platforms.
The Courgain Maritime, a former fishing neighbourhood, is not subject to additional restrictions for tourist rental. Registration and the 120-day cap apply as in the rest of the municipality. However, facade work on traditional houses may require approval under local heritage rules.
There is no legal obligation related to the nationality of guests. However, it is recommended to provide practical information in English, particularly about emergency services, residency rules and waste sorting instructions. The tourist tax applies to all guests, regardless of their nationality.
No, Calais does not require compensation, even for owners of multiple tourist rentals. Each property must be declared individually at the town hall. The 120-day cap applies only to primary residences; secondary residences are not subject to this limit after declaration.
Renting in Calais? Prepare now
Create a professional welcome book for your guests and ensure smooth and compliant management of your rentals in Calais.
Create my book for free