RNT in Colombia 2026: requirements to rent to tourists

*This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tourism regulations change frequently; verify your situation with MinCIT, your Cámara de Comercio, and your co-ownership administration before making any decisions. Last reviewed: October 2026.*

Can I rent my home to tourists in Colombia?

Yes, but with two non-negotiable conditions:

• Holding an active, valid Registro Nacional de Turismo (RNT).
• Your building's horizontal property bylaws must expressly authorize vacation rental use.

If either condition fails, you cannot operate legally — no matter how beautiful the apartment is. The current framework is set by Law 2068 of 2020 (General Tourism Law), Law 675 of 2001 (horizontal property), and Decree 1836 of 2021, which governs the RNT. MinCIT also has a draft decree in progress (since late 2025) that would tighten RNT requirements, but as of today it is not yet in force: what is required of you is what the current regulations specify.

The RNT, step by step

• Register with the RNT through your Cámara de Comercio (via the Confecámaras system). Every vacation rental service provider must be registered before beginning operations.
• In the name of the service provider. Today, the RNT is filed by the tourism provider. The draft reform would require it to be registered in the property owner's name: this is not yet mandatory, but planning ahead this way is advisable.
• Display your RNT number in all listings and at the property.
• Renew every year between January and March. If you fail to renew before March 31, your registration is automatically suspended.

Horizontal property: the obstacle that can stop you cold

This is the number-one obstacle in Colombia. Under Law 675 of 2001 and established case law, if your home is subject to horizontal property regulations, the co-ownership bylaws must expressly authorize vacation rental activity. It is not enough for them to be silent on the matter: they must actively permit it. Reviewing the bylaws — and, if necessary, bringing the issue to a general assembly — before buying or investing in renovations is what keeps you from purchasing a problem.

Documents you will need

What would change under the RNT reform (draft in progress)

MinCIT has a draft decree in progress that, if approved, would tighten the RNT. It is not yet in force, but it is worth knowing about because it signals the direction ahead:

• From self-declaration to pre-verification. Today, simply declaring the activity upon registration is sufficient; the draft would require the authority to verify documentation before approving the registration.
• Greater platform oversight. The draft envisions Airbnb, Booking, and similar platforms verifying RNT validity on a regular basis (every six months is being discussed) and removing listings without a valid registration.
• RNT in the property owner's name and full documentation (land-use certificate, fire safety, health clearance, co-ownership authorization).

If approved, the tightening would be significant: under strict enforcement, a large portion of the informal vacation rental inventory could be pushed out of the market. For those already doing things by the book, this is an opportunity — less informal competition and greater trust from guests.

Tax and guest-reporting obligations

• RUT (DIAN): registration and compliance with income tax and any other tax obligations applicable to your situation.
• Tourism parafiscal contribution: approximately 0.25% of revenue from the activity, payable quarterly (verify your specific case).
• Guest registration: reporting through MinCIT's TRA system.
• Municipal ICA tax depending on the municipality where you operate.

Penalties

Failing to renew your RNT before March 31 triggers automatic suspension of your registration. Operating without a valid RNT can result in the removal of your listings by the platforms, sanctions from MinCIT, and the closure of your operation. Reactivating a suspended registration carries a fee (approximately 1 SMMLV, payable to FONTUR). Keeping your registration current and your documentation in order is, today, simply part of doing business.