Whether you list one apartment or manage a portfolio of villas, getting properly registered in Barbados protects your income, your guests, and your peace of mind. Here's the process, step by step, as it stands today.
Step 1 — Know your property category
Barbados legislation treats accommodation types differently, and your category affects both standards and taxes:
- Villas — typically larger, staffed properties; villa rentals attract the 10% Shared Economy Levy.
- Vacation rental properties — the category most Airbnb-style listings fall under; subject to the Room Rate Levy (3.75%, capped at US$17.50 per bedroom per night).
- Apartments and guest houses — self-contained units and small multi-room operations.
Step 2 — Register with the Barbados Tourism Product Authority
Registration for short-term tourist accommodation is open online at barbadostouristaccommodation.com. You'll provide property details, ownership information, and contact details. Questions go to the BTPA's Product Quality Unit at (246) 535-3700 or pq@visitbarbados.org.
Step 3 — Register with the Barbados Revenue Authority
Anyone supplying tourist accommodation has tax obligations. Depending on your category, you'll be collecting and remitting the Shared Economy Levy or the Room Rate Levy — and 2026 amendments to the Tourism Levy Act extend registration duties to suppliers listing on online marketplaces like Airbnb. Advertised prices must make the levy clear, and records of every transaction must be kept.
New in 2026
Amendments to the Tourism Levy Act now require both suppliers and marketplace facilitators to register with the BTPA and the Revenue Authority, with fines of $5,000–$10,000 for failing to notify guests of levies, collect them properly, or keep adequate records.
Step 4 — Get your paperwork guest-ready
These are the documents the (currently paused) Tourist Accommodation Bill would require with a licence application — and they're worth having regardless:
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Fire safety certification
- Health certification
- Room inventory
- A multi-hazard (hurricane) management plan
Step 5 — Set up compliant day-to-day systems
- Itemized invoices for every booking, matching your advertised rates
- A guest register: names, addresses, nationality, ID, stay dates
- An incident/accident log
- Displayed emergency contact numbers
Step 6 — Stay current
The regulatory landscape is actively changing — the Tourist Accommodation Bill is expected to return in revised form, and levy rules were amended as recently as January 2026. Registration is not a one-off task; it's an ongoing discipline.
We'll handle the whole process for you
INtouch clients never fill out a registration form, chase a fire certificate, or file a levy return themselves — we do it all as part of full management, alongside the hosting that keeps your calendar booked. Message us and be registration-ready this month.
Chat with us on WhatsAppDisclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Legislation and policy in Barbados continue to evolve — including the Tourist Accommodation Bill, which remains under review — and requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, the Barbados Revenue Authority, or a qualified professional before acting.