Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Uruguay Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Montevideo's property market is included in our pack
Whether you are considering buying an apartment in Pocitos or renting out a house in Carrasco, understanding the Airbnb landscape in Montevideo in 2026 is essential before making any investment decision.
This article covers current housing prices, occupancy rates, legal requirements, and realistic profit expectations for short-term rentals in the Uruguayan capital.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data and regulations to keep you informed.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Montevideo.
Insights
- The average Airbnb in Montevideo earns around $1,050 per month gross, but self-managed hosts can keep $450 to $700 of that as net profit after expenses.
- Montevideo's Carnaval 2026 (January 22 and February 6-7) creates a demand spike where hosts can charge 30% to 50% more per night in central neighborhoods like Ciudad Vieja and Cordón.
- With approximately 4,260 active short-term rental listings in Montevideo, the market is competitive but not oversaturated, leaving room for well-positioned new hosts.
- Studios and one-bedroom apartments account for 55% to 65% of all Airbnb bookings in Montevideo, reflecting the city's appeal to couples, solo travelers, and business visitors.
- The most crowded price segment in Montevideo sits between $40 and $75 per night, meaning hosts who target above $85 for premium two-bedroom units face less competition.
- Uruguay's Law 20.352 now requires all tourist-use properties to register with the Ministry of Tourism and display a registration number in every listing.
- Montevideo introduced a tourism tax in October 2025 of $1 per night per foreign guest (capped at $5 per stay), which Airbnb hosts must collect and report quarterly.
- High season (December to March) can push monthly revenues to $1,250 to $1,650, while low season (May to August) drops them to $750 to $950 for a typical listing.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Montevideo in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is legal in Montevideo, but it now operates under a more structured regulatory framework than in previous years.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Montevideo is Uruguay's Law 20.352, which was enacted in September 2024 and establishes a national registration system for all "inmuebles de uso turístico" (tourist-use properties).
The single most important requirement for Airbnb hosts in Montevideo is registering with the Ministry of Tourism's Registro de Operadores Turísticos and displaying the assigned registration number in every listing and advertisement.
Additionally, hosts must report guest information (name, identification document, and country of origin) to the Ministry of the Interior, and comply with Montevideo's local tourism tax that applies to foreign guests.
Penalties for operating an unregistered tourist accommodation can include fines determined by the Ministry of Tourism, and repeated violations may result in increased sanctions under the inspection and control provisions of the law.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Uruguay.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Uruguay.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Montevideo does not impose a citywide minimum-stay requirement or a maximum nights-per-year cap on Airbnb rentals like some European cities do.
These rules do not differ based on property type or host residency status in Montevideo, meaning both primary residence hosts and investment property owners face the same absence of night-based restrictions at the municipal level.
In practice, most Montevideo hosts set their own minimum stays based on turnover economics, typically ranging from 1 to 3 nights for apartments and 2 to 5 nights for larger houses where cleaning costs are higher.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Montevideo right now?
There is no residency requirement for operating an Airbnb in Montevideo, meaning you do not need to live in the property or even in Uruguay to legally run a short-term rental.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Montevideo, as the national framework focuses on registration and compliance rather than restricting hosting to primary residences.
No additional permits or conditions apply specifically to non-primary residence short-term rentals in Montevideo beyond the standard registration with the Ministry of Tourism and compliance with tax obligations.
The main practical difference between renting a primary residence versus a secondary home is operational, as non-resident owners typically need to arrange local management, key handover, and cleaning services.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Montevideo
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Montevideo right now?
Yes, you can legally operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Montevideo, as the current regulatory framework does not limit the number of properties a single host or entity can manage.
There is no maximum number of properties that one person or company can list for short-term rental in Montevideo, though each property must be individually registered and properly identified in the tourism registry.
The main additional requirement for multi-property hosts is ensuring each unit has its own registration number displayed in listings, and maintaining separate records for tax reporting and tourism tax collection.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, you need to register your tourist-use property with the Ministry of Tourism's Registro de Operadores Turísticos, though this is a registration process rather than a traditional business license.
The registration process involves submitting a sworn declaration (declaración jurada) to the Ministry of Tourism, which then assigns you a registration number that must appear in all your listings and advertisements.
Documents typically required include property ownership or authorization proof, identification of the owner or operator, and basic property details for the registration database.
The registration itself does not currently have a published fee, though hosts must budget for ongoing compliance costs including tax reporting and quarterly tourism tax declarations to Montevideo's Intendencia.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no citywide neighborhood bans or officially restricted zones for Airbnb operations in Montevideo's municipal regulations.
The more realistic constraint in specific neighborhoods comes from building-level rules, as some apartment complexes and condominiums in areas like Pocitos and Punta Carretas have internal bylaws (reglamentos de copropiedad) that restrict or prohibit short-term rentals.
Before purchasing or listing a property, always verify the building's internal regulations with the building administrator, as these private restrictions can effectively ban Airbnb operations regardless of what city law permits.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Uruguay compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Montevideo in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price (ADR) for an Airbnb listing in Montevideo is approximately $58 USD (around 2,600 Uruguayan pesos or 55 euros), while the median sits closer to $52 USD (2,340 pesos or 49 euros).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Montevideo Airbnb listings falls between $35 and $90 USD (1,575 to 4,050 pesos, or 33 to 85 euros), with studios on the lower end and well-located two-bedroom apartments on the higher end.
The single factor with the biggest impact on nightly pricing in Montevideo is location relative to the Rambla coastal promenade, with properties offering sea views or walking distance to Pocitos or Punta Carretas beaches commanding significantly higher rates.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Montevideo.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Montevideo can vary by more than double depending on neighborhood, with Carrasco averaging $95 to $110 USD (4,275 to 4,950 pesos, 90 to 104 euros) while areas like La Blanqueada average $40 to $55 USD (1,800 to 2,475 pesos, 38 to 52 euros).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Montevideo are Carrasco at $95 to $110 USD, Punta Carretas at $80 to $100 USD (3,600 to 4,500 pesos, 76 to 95 euros), and Pocitos at $70 to $95 USD (3,150 to 4,275 pesos, 66 to 90 euros).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are La Blanqueada at $40 to $55 USD, Tres Cruces at $40 to $60 USD (1,800 to 2,700 pesos, 38 to 57 euros), and Prado at $45 to $65 USD (2,025 to 2,925 pesos, 43 to 62 euros), though these areas still attract guests seeking value stays near bus terminals or quieter residential atmospheres.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Montevideo averages around 61% to 65%, which translates to approximately 18 to 20 booked nights per month for an active listing.
The realistic occupancy range covering most listings in Montevideo spans from 45% for newer or less-optimized properties to 75% for well-reviewed listings with competitive pricing and strong photos.
Montevideo's occupancy rates are competitive with other South American capitals, performing similarly to Buenos Aires for comparable property types and slightly above smaller regional markets like Asunción.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Montevideo is response time and booking flexibility, as guests booking last-minute for business trips or weekend getaways favor hosts who confirm quickly and allow shorter minimum stays.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Montevideo is approximately $1,050 USD (47,250 Uruguayan pesos or 995 euros) before expenses, based on typical ADR and occupancy rates.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Montevideo listings falls between $650 and $1,400 USD (29,250 to 63,000 pesos, or 615 to 1,325 euros), depending on property quality, location, and host responsiveness.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Montevideo, particularly premium two-bedroom apartments in Carrasco or Punta Carretas, can achieve $1,800 to $2,200 USD monthly (81,000 to 99,000 pesos, 1,700 to 2,080 euros). For context, a well-located coastal apartment averaging $100 per night at 70% occupancy would generate roughly $2,100 monthly gross revenue.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Montevideo.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, high-season monthly revenue in Montevideo typically ranges from $1,250 to $1,650 USD (56,250 to 74,250 pesos, 1,185 to 1,560 euros), while low-season revenue drops to $750 to $950 USD (33,750 to 42,750 pesos, 710 to 900 euros) for a similar listing.
High season in Montevideo runs from December through March, coinciding with summer weather, beach tourism, and the Carnaval festivities in late January and early February, while low season spans May through August when cooler weather and fewer tourists reduce demand significantly.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Montevideo range from $320 to $650 USD (14,400 to 29,250 pesos, 303 to 615 euros) for self-managed properties, and $650 to $1,150 USD (29,250 to 51,750 pesos, 615 to 1,090 euros) when using professional management.
The single expense category that typically represents the largest share of monthly costs in Montevideo is cleaning and laundry, which can run $120 to $350 USD (5,400 to 15,750 pesos, 114 to 330 euros) depending on turnover frequency and property size.
Hosts in Montevideo should typically expect to spend 30% to 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with self-managed hosts at the lower end and those using full-service property management at the higher end.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Montevideo.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Montevideo ranges from $450 to $700 USD (20,250 to 31,500 pesos, 426 to 663 euros) for self-managed hosts, while profit per available night (PAN) comes out to $15 to $23 USD (675 to 1,035 pesos, 14 to 22 euros).
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most listings in Montevideo spans from $150 to $450 USD (6,750 to 20,250 pesos, 142 to 426 euros) when using professional management, up to $700 USD for highly efficient self-managed operations.
Net profit margins for Montevideo Airbnb hosts typically range from 40% to 55% of gross revenue for self-managed properties, dropping to 15% to 35% when accounting for professional management fees.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Montevideo Airbnb listing sits around 35% to 45%, meaning a host needs roughly 11 to 14 booked nights per month just to cover fixed and variable operating costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Montevideo, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Uruguay versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Montevideo as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 4,260 active short-term rental listings in the Montevideo market, including properties listed on both Airbnb and Vrbo.
This number represents steady growth from around 2,500 listings in mid-2025, reflecting increased host activity following the implementation of Uruguay's new regulatory framework and continued tourism recovery since the pandemic.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Montevideo are Pocitos, Ciudad Vieja, Centro, Cordón, Punta Carretas, and Parque Rodó, where listing density is highest and competition for bookings is most intense.
These neighborhoods became saturated because they sit at the intersection of apartment-heavy housing stock and the areas where Airbnb actively directs travelers, creating a concentration of supply exactly where guest demand is strongest.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods with better opportunities for new hosts include Buceo (close to the World Trade Center business district), Malvín (beach access with fewer listings), and Carrasco (where higher property prices limit supply but premium rates reward quality listings).
What local events spike demand in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Montevideo are Carnaval (with the Desfile Inaugural on January 22 and Desfile de Llamadas on February 6-7), summer beach season from December through March, and major football matches at Estadio Centenario.
During Carnaval week and the Llamadas weekend, bookings in central neighborhoods like Ciudad Vieja, Cordón, and Barrio Sur can increase by 40% to 60%, with nightly rates jumping 30% to 50% above normal high-season levels.
Hosts should adjust pricing and minimum stays at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events, unblocking calendar dates early to capture demand from international visitors who plan Carnaval trips well in advance.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Montevideo achieve occupancy rates of 70% to 80%, which translates to 21 to 24 booked nights per month.
By comparison, average hosts in Montevideo typically see occupancy around 61%, meaning top performers book 9 to 13 more nights per month through better photos, faster response times, competitive pricing, and stronger review profiles.
New hosts in Montevideo typically need 4 to 8 months of consistent operation to reach top-performer occupancy levels, as the algorithm rewards hosts who accumulate positive reviews and maintain high response rates over time.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Montevideo.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Montevideo right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Montevideo sits between $40 and $75 USD (1,800 to 3,375 pesos, 38 to 71 euros), where most studios and one-bedroom apartments in central and coastal neighborhoods compete.
The white space opportunities for new hosts exist above $85 USD per night (3,825 pesos, 80 euros) for well-designed two-bedroom apartments and below $35 USD (1,575 pesos, 33 euros) for budget-friendly options in residential neighborhoods that cater to longer-stay digital nomads.
To successfully compete in the underserved premium segment in Montevideo, new hosts should focus on properties with genuine soundproofing, dedicated workspace with ergonomic furniture, reliable high-speed internet, and family-friendly amenities like cribs and strollers.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Montevideo right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Montevideo as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments and studios get the most bookings in Montevideo, accounting for the majority of short-term rental demand in the city.
The estimated booking share by bedroom count in Montevideo breaks down to approximately 55% to 65% for studios and one-bedrooms, 25% to 35% for two-bedrooms, and 10% to 15% for three-bedroom or larger properties.
One-bedroom units perform best in Montevideo because the city attracts primarily couples, solo business travelers, and digital nomads rather than large family groups, and these guests prefer compact, centrally-located spaces over larger homes.
What property type performs best in Montevideo in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condominiums (especially one and two-bedroom units) perform best for Airbnb in Montevideo due to their central locations, easier turnover logistics, and alignment with guest preferences for walkable urban stays.
Occupancy rates across property types in Montevideo show apartments averaging 60% to 68%, standalone houses in residential areas averaging 50% to 60%, and unique properties or premium houses in Carrasco occasionally reaching 55% to 65% during high season while dropping lower in winter.
Apartments outperform other property types in Montevideo because they dominate the coastal neighborhoods where guests want to stay, require less maintenance than houses, and offer more predictable utility costs and building services.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Montevideo, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Uruguay Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) | It's the official national tourism statistics publisher for Uruguay. | We used Mintur data to anchor demand context, including who visits Montevideo, when they come, and how much they spend. We treat their inbound tourism totals as ground truth for market sizing. |
| AirDNA Montevideo Market Overview | It's a widely used STR data provider with transparent methodology for tracking Airbnb and Vrbo metrics. | We used AirDNA to estimate active listings, occupancy rates, and average daily rates for Montevideo. We ran our own arithmetic for revenue and profit calculations based on their baseline figures. |
| Uruguay Law 20.352 (IMPO) | It's the official legal text repository for Uruguay's national legislation. | We used the law text to confirm registration requirements, operator obligations, and the legal framework for tourist-use properties. We relied on this as the backbone of our legal compliance section. |
| Montevideo Decree 38.989 | It's the official local legal text repository for Montevideo municipal regulations. | We used this decree to confirm Montevideo's tourism tax structure and compliance requirements for Airbnb hosts. We anchored local tax obligations on this source. |
| Descubrí Montevideo Tourism Tax Page | It's an official city tourism site linking directly to the decree and providing plain-language explanations. | We used this to translate the legal tourism tax rules into practical guidance for non-professional hosts. We confirmed the October 2025 implementation start date here. |
| Montevideo Municipal Government (Carnaval Dates) | It's the city's official announcement channel for public events and festivities. | We used official Carnaval 2026 dates to identify demand spike periods for hosts. We incorporated January 22 and February 6-7 as key pricing opportunity dates. |
| UTE Official Tariff Schedule | It's the state electricity utility's official tariff publication. | We used UTE tariffs to anchor utility cost estimates for the expense range calculations. We applied per-kWh rates relevant to STR operations with higher laundry and AC usage. |
| DGI (Uruguay Tax Authority) | It's the national tax authority explaining real estate income taxation rules. | We used DGI guidance to explain rental income tax compliance for hosts. We structured the tax section around their official categorization of rental income. |
| INE (National Statistics Institute) | It's Uruguay's official statistics institute for housing market indicators. | We used INE data to ground long-term rental and transaction context, helping readers understand how STR economics compare to traditional rental alternatives. |
| ANV (National Housing Agency) | It's a public housing institution compiling multiple official real estate datasets. | We used ANV reports to triangulate residential market conditions in Montevideo, keeping purchase price assumptions realistic for ROI examples. |
| Airbnb Montevideo Stays Page | It's the platform's own destination page showing how guests are guided to choose neighborhoods. | We used Airbnb's neighborhood framing to identify which areas are commonly marketed to visitors. We used this only for demand geography, not for regulation or macro facts. |
| BCU (Central Bank of Uruguay) | It's the official portal for Uruguay's macroeconomic and financial statistics. | We used BCU data as a reference point for cross-checking macro context like interest rates and financing conditions when discussing investment feasibility. |
| Airbtics Montevideo Revenue Data | It's an independent STR analytics provider offering market-level revenue estimates. | We used Airbtics to cross-validate revenue figures from AirDNA and to check occupancy rate ranges across different time periods. |
| AirROI Montevideo Market Report | It's an STR analytics platform providing performance benchmarks and host rankings. | We used AirROI to identify top-performer revenue thresholds and to analyze the gap between average and best-in-class hosts in Montevideo. |
| GuestFavorites Montevideo Analytics | It's an STR data aggregator tracking occupancy and revenue trends across markets. | We used GuestFavorites to triangulate occupancy data and validate seasonal patterns in Montevideo's short-term rental market. |
| Fernandez Secco Legal Analysis | It's a reputable Uruguayan law firm providing professional legal interpretation of new regulations. | We used their analysis to understand the practical implications of Law 20.352 for property owners and operators. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Uruguay. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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