Short-Term rental license requirements in Ghana changed dramatically when the Ghana Tourism Authority launched a streamlined registration system in November 2024. Property owners across Accra, Kumasi, and beyond now face clear pathways to legal operation alongside serious penalties for non-compliance.
Is Airbnb Legal in Ghana in 2025?
Operating an Airbnb or short-term rental without proper licensing violates Ghana’s Tourism Act 2011. The law imposes fines up to GHS 1,200, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both for unlicensed operations.
Ghana became the first African nation to formalize platform-based accommodation regulation through direct partnership with Airbnb. The Ghana Tourism Authority closed 45 establishments in Eastern Region alone during September 2025 enforcement exercises. Your property needs proper licensing before accepting a single guest.
What Documents Do I Need to Register an Airbnb in Ghana?
Registration requirements split into two tiers based on portfolio size.
For hosts with 1-3 properties:
- Ghana Card serving as your Tax Identification Number
- Valid email address and phone number
- Property listing address with GhanaPostGPS digital address
- No business registration required
For operators with 4 or more properties:
- Business Registration Certificate from the Registrar General’s Department
- Ghana Card for the business owner
- Organizational TIN from Ghana Revenue Authority
- Property details for each listing
- GhanaPostGPS digital address for every property
Obtain your free digital address through the GhanaPostGPS mobile app before starting your application. This alphanumeric code (format: GA-183-8164) powers all official government transactions.
How Do I Register My Short-Term Rental Property?
Access the GTA Single Window Platform at visitghana.com or through Airbnb’s direct registration link. The online portal accepts applications 24/7.
Complete your application by providing host full name, property location with digital address, number of beds and rooms, daily rental rates, property type and amenities, safety measures currently in place, and all contact information.
Upload your required documents as clear digital copies. Pay the GHS 323 provisional license fee per property through the secure online portal. GTA reviews applications within 30 working days and issues provisional licenses valid for 6 months.
What Is the Cost of a Short-Term Rental License?
The provisional license costs GHS 323 per property (approximately $25-30 USD). This 6-month provisional license allows immediate legal operation while you complete full compliance documentation.
Additional costs include police clearance certificate fees (published at police.gov.gh), fire safety equipment installation (smoke detectors, extinguishers), property inspection fees when converting to full license, and annual renewal fees matching initial licensing costs.
Budget for the 1% Tourism Development Fund levy collected from guests monthly. Property owners also pay 8% rental income tax (15% for corporate structures) on gross rental earnings.
Do I Need a License for a Single Airbnb Listing?
Every short-term rental property requires individual licensing regardless of portfolio size. The law makes no exceptions for single listings, spare rooms, or occasional hosting.
The tiered documentation system recognizes scale differences. Small hosts face minimal paperwork compared to professional operators managing multiple properties. Your single listing qualifies for the simplified 1-3 property pathway without business registration requirements.
What Happens After I Get My Provisional License?
Your 6-month provisional period provides legal operating authority while arranging outstanding documents. Work immediately to obtain police clearance certificate from CID Headquarters, fire safety report demonstrating proper equipment, environmental health report confirming sanitation standards, and proof of property ownership or landlord authorization.
GTA schedules property inspections verifying functional utilities, adequate furnishings, sanitary conditions, and appropriate security measures. Pass inspection with complete documentation and convert to a full license valid for 12 months requiring annual renewal.
Can Diaspora Ghanaians Register Properties Remotely?
Ghanaian citizens living abroad enjoy the same property rights as local residents. Diaspora hosts access 99-year leaseholds, register through the same online portal, use Ghana Card as TIN without organizational requirements, and appoint representatives for property inspections.
The GTA portal accepts applications from anywhere with internet access. Diaspora investors should maintain local bank accounts for rental income management and consider property management services taking 10-15% of rental income for hands-on oversight.
Ghana’s short-term rental market offers high returns, but compliance is key. Sarah Arthur Real Estate provides comprehensive services, GTA registration, tax setup, inspection prep, and ongoing management, to help investors ensure legal operation and avoid enforcement issues. Schedule a consultation for personalized assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my property while my provisional license is pending?
No. Begin operations only after receiving your approved provisional license. Operating while applications are pending still counts as unlicensed operation subject to fines and closure.
Do I need my landlord’s permission if I rent my apartment?
Yes. The Rent Act of 1963 prohibits subletting without landlord permission. Obtain written consent specifying short-term rental authorization before listing your property. Operating without landlord approval constitutes lease breach grounds for eviction.
What safety equipment must I install?
Install smoke detectors in sleeping areas, fire extinguishers appropriate for kitchen and electrical fires, fire blankets in cooking spaces, adequate lighting for nighttime navigation, and secure locks on all entry points. Ghana National Fire Service will extend mandatory fire permits to residential STRs by 2026-2027.
How do I collect and pay the Tourism Development Fund levy?
Collect 1% of gross accommodation charges from each guest. Remit total collections monthly by the last working day of the following month to designated banks (UMB, Universal Merchant Bank, GCB Bank). Retain payment receipts for 6 years for GTA inspection.
Can foreign investors own Airbnb properties in Ghana?
Foreigners face 50-year lease maximums (Ghanaian citizens get 99-year leases). Foreign investors must register with Ghana Investment Promotion Centre requiring minimum capital investments of USD $200,000 for joint ventures or $500,000 for wholly foreign-owned enterprises. Diaspora Ghanaians with citizenship avoid GIPC requirements entirely.
What happens if GTA inspects my unlicensed property?
GTA issues immediate closure orders for unlicensed properties. You face fines up to GHS 1,200, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both. Your property stays closed until achieving full licensing compliance. Guests get evacuated without notice during enforcement exercises.
Can I register multiple properties under one license?
No. Each property requires individual licensing at GHS 323 per property. Hosts with 4 or more properties must register as businesses and obtain organizational TINs from Ghana Revenue Authority.
How long does license approval take?
GTA responds within 30 working days after acknowledging applications (acknowledged within 3 days of receipt). Start your application 6-8 weeks before your intended launch date to account for processing times and potential document clarifications.
