BARCELONA, Spain — Planning a vacation without the option of online booking sites like Airbnb is the reality facing visitors to central Barcelona in four years. The city aims to eliminate the 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments to preserve and expand housing for full-time residents.
Barcelona City Hall announced its decision in June not to renew any tourist apartment licenses beyond 2028. Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet emphasized the need to prioritize housing over tourist accommodation to address the city’s housing emergency caused by rising rents and real estate prices.
With tourism contributing 15% to the local economy, Bonet acknowledged the importance of tourism but stressed the need to support residents struggling with housing costs.
Property owners are planning to challenge the decision, arguing that it could jeopardize their livelihoods and limit temporary lodging options in the city. About 2.5 million tourists stayed in apartments in Barcelona last year, according to the Association of Tourist Apartments of Barcelona.
Rising residential real estate prices and rents have made it difficult for many residents, particularly young people, to afford housing in Barcelona. The city has experienced a lack of housing supply, contributing to the affordability crisis.
Similar challenges exist in other cities worldwide, where authorities are trying to balance the housing needs of residents, landlord rights, and economic benefits of tourism. Measures to regulate short-term rentals have been implemented in various cities, including New York and Maui.
Venice in Italy has taken steps to limit short-term rentals, but implementation has been delayed. In Barcelona, previous efforts to regulate the market included banning short stays in individual rooms in apartments and removing unlicensed tourist apartments from online platforms.
The decision in Barcelona follows a law passed by the government of Catalonia, stipulating that tourist apartment licenses in areas with housing shortages would expire by 2028. Critics argue that the move infringes on property rights and economic liberty.
While the initiative in Barcelona aims to address the housing crisis, experts believe it may only have a minimal impact on rental costs. The city reportedly needs around 60,000 new housing units to meet current demand.
