diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 8424108..ce81a86 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -638,6 +638,8 @@ def register():
         error = None
         if not username:
             error = 'Username is required'
+        elif not email:
+            error = 'Email is required'
         elif not password:
             error = 'Password is required'
         elif password != confirm_password:
@@ -799,6 +801,8 @@ def register_freelancer():
         error = None
         if not username:
             error = 'Username is required'
+        elif not email:
+            error = 'Email is required'
         elif not password:
             error = 'Password is required'
         elif password != confirm_password:
diff --git a/templates/register.html b/templates/register.html
index de482dd..06a5069 100644
--- a/templates/register.html
+++ b/templates/register.html
@@ -178,9 +178,9 @@
         
         <div class="form-group input-icon">
             <i>📧</i>
-            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" class="form-control" placeholder="your@email.com (optional)">
-            <label for="email">Email Address (Optional)</label>
-            <small class="form-text text-muted">Recommended for account recovery and notifications</small>
+            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" class="form-control" placeholder="your@email.com" required>
+            <label for="email">Email Address</label>
+            <small class="form-text text-muted">Required for account verification and recovery</small>
         </div>
         
         <div class="form-group input-icon">
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@
         </div>
         
         <div class="verification-notice">
-            <p><i class="ti ti-bulb"></i> You can register without an email, but we recommend adding one for account recovery.</p>
+            <p><i class="ti ti-bulb"></i> A valid email address is required for registration. You will receive a verification email after signup.</p>
         </div>
     </form>
 </div>
diff --git a/templates/register_freelancer.html b/templates/register_freelancer.html
index 7e7abb7..83aff46 100644
--- a/templates/register_freelancer.html
+++ b/templates/register_freelancer.html
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@
         
         <div class="form-group input-icon">
             <i>📧</i>
-            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" class="form-control" placeholder="your@email.com (optional)">
-            <label for="email">Email Address (Optional)</label>
-            <small class="form-text text-muted">Recommended for account recovery</small>
+            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" class="form-control" placeholder="your@email.com" required>
+            <label for="email">Email Address</label>
+            <small class="form-text text-muted">Required for account verification and recovery</small>
         </div>
         
         <div class="form-group input-icon">