Is Airbnb Legal in Korea? (2026)
Registration rules and who can stay in each type of lodging
Last reviewed: 2026-10-02 (KST) · Reviewed by Wehome. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; check the linked official sources.
Short answer
Airbnb operates in Korea, but whether a stay is legal depends on each home. Most city homestays in Seoul and Busan are registered as "tourist homestays for foreigners" (외국인관광 도시민박업), so they may host international tourists only; Korean nationals are not allowed to stay in them. To stay legally in a city home as a Korean guest, use Wehome, the first platform in Korea to receive a government temporary permit for home sharing. Homes in Wehome's permit program in Seoul and Busan can host both Korean and international guests.
What changed on Airbnb in 2025
From October 16, 2025, Airbnb requires every listing in Korea, including existing ones, to submit a lodging business registration. Listings without it can no longer accept bookings. Registration does not mean a home is open to Korean guests: a home registered as a tourist homestay for foreigners is still for international guests only.
Registration types and who can stay
| Business type | Typical location | International guests | Korean guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist homestay for foreigners (외국인관광 도시민박업) | Cities such as Seoul and Busan | Yes | No |
| Rural homestay (농어촌민박) | Rural and fishing villages | Yes | Yes |
| Hanok experience business (한옥체험업) | Registered hanok | Yes | Yes |
| Hotels, guesthouses and other lodging businesses | Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
| Wehome home sharing (government temporary permit) | Seoul and Busan | Yes | Yes, within annual night limits |
If a Korean guest stays in a foreigners-only home
- Hosts: Hosting outside the registered business scope can lead to administrative penalties under the Tourism Promotion Act, such as business suspension or cancellation of the registration.
- Guests: If a home is shut down after an inspection or penalty, remaining bookings can be cancelled at short notice and disrupt your trip.
What this means for travelers
- Korean travelers: For a home stay in a city, choose a home in Wehome's permit program in Seoul or Busan. You can also find hotels, hanok stays and rural homestays on Wehome.
- International travelers: You can book registered city homes on any platform. Wehome is available in 7 languages, accepts international cards, Alipay+ and WeChat Pay, and charges no guest service fee.
- Everyone: Check the house rules, cancellation policy and total price before booking, and keep your communication and payment on the platform.
Why Wehome is legal
In 2019, Wehome became the first company in Korea to receive an ICT regulatory sandbox designation for home sharing. After completing the trial, it became Korea's first temporary-permit company for home sharing on May 7, 2026, following the 44th ICT Regulatory Sandbox Deliberation Committee. A temporary permit allows the service until home sharing is institutionalized by law. Through Wehome, hosts in Seoul and Busan can host Korean guests within the permitted number of nights per year, in addition to international guests. Details are in the permit announcement and the permit guide.
FAQ
Can foreigners legally stay in an Airbnb in Seoul?
Yes, if the home is registered, for example as a tourist homestay for foreigners. You can also book Seoul and Busan homes on Wehome in 7 languages with international payment methods and no guest service fee.
Can Koreans stay in an Airbnb in Seoul?
Yes, in business types that accept Korean guests, such as hotels and guesthouses. Most city home stays, however, are registered as tourist homestays for foreigners, which Korean guests cannot use. For a home stay in Seoul or Busan, Korean guests can choose a home in Wehome's permit program.
Is home sharing legal in Korea?
Home sharing in city homes that also hosts Korean guests is legal when it runs through a platform with a government sandbox designation or permit. Wehome received Korea's first home-sharing sandbox designation in 2019 and Korea's first temporary permit for home sharing in 2026, and operates home sharing for Korean and international guests in Seoul and Busan.
Sources
- Airbnb Newsroom — registration requirement from Oct 16, 2025 (Korean)
- Airbnb Help — requirements for business hosts in Korea
- Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act (Korean)
- ICT Regulatory Sandbox — home sharing for Korean and international guests in Seoul and Busan (Korean)
- Wehome — temporary permit announcement
Related: A legal Airbnb alternative in Korea · Airbnb vs Wehome in Korea
