diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 69488b7..7e1af2b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ Either you define exactly which release you install. Or you use the option ``lat
 | `gitea_user_repo_limit` | `-1` | Limit how many repos a user can have *(`-1` for unlimited)* |
 | `gitea_disable_http_git` | `false` | Disable the ability to interact with repositories over the HTTP protocol. (true/false) |
 | `gitea_default_branch` | `main` | Default branch name of all repositories. |
+| `gitea_default_private` | `last` | Default private when creating a new repository. [`last`, `private`, `public`] |
 | `gitea_repository_extra_config` | `''` | you can use this variable to pass additional config parameters in the `[repository]` section of the config. |
 | `gitea_repository_upload_extra_config` | you can use this variable to pass additional config parameters in the `[repository.upload]` section of the config. |
 
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 9211ce1..89abc6e 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ gitea_force_private: false
 gitea_user_repo_limit: '-1'
 gitea_disable_http_git: false
 gitea_default_branch: 'main'
+gitea_default_private: 'last'
 gitea_repository_extra_config: ''
 gitea_repository_upload_extra_config: ''
 
diff --git a/templates/gitea.ini.j2 b/templates/gitea.ini.j2
index e07704f..b322dff 100644
--- a/templates/gitea.ini.j2
+++ b/templates/gitea.ini.j2
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ FORCE_PRIVATE       = {{ gitea_force_private | ternary('true', 'false') }}
 MAX_CREATION_LIMIT  = {{ gitea_user_repo_limit }}
 DISABLE_HTTP_GIT    = {{ gitea_disable_http_git | ternary('true', 'false') }}
 DEFAULT_BRANCH      = {{ gitea_default_branch }}
+DEFAULT_PRIVATE     = {{ gitea_default_private }}
 {{ gitea_repository_extra_config }}
 ;
 [repository.upload]
diff --git a/vars/main.yml b/vars/main.yml
index 199d5a3..fba7917 100644
--- a/vars/main.yml
+++ b/vars/main.yml
@@ -56,5 +56,5 @@ transfer_custom_footer:
     - 'files/gitea_footer/extra_links_footer.tmpl'
     - 'files/extra_links_footer.tmpl'
 
-playbook_version_number: 23  # should be int
+playbook_version_number: 24  # should be int
 playbook_version_path: 'do1jlr.gitea.version'