Barcelona's rental freeze sparks European legal battle
The European Holiday Home Association (EHHA) has lodged a complaint with the European Commission following the Barcelona authorities' decision to suspend short-term rentals until 2028.
21 November 2024 10:11
The decision by Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, announced in June, plans for the closure of all short-term rental properties by 2028. This entails the cancellation of around 10,000 licences, aimed at addressing the sharp increase in rental prices for the city's residents.
Entrepreneurs protest against the new changes
According to Reuters, EHHA described the decision as unwarranted and excessive in addressing issues like over-tourism and housing shortages, noting that it was made without seeking public input. The association is urging the European Commission to step in and address the situation.
The Airbnb platform has also urged Barcelona authorities to reconsider the proposed restrictions. In a letter to the city authorities, the company argued that the restrictions would benefit only the hotel industry and would not effectively address mass tourism and the housing crisis.
The authorities' actions follow residents' protests
Regulations concerning short-term rentals in Spain are set at both central and regional levels. In mid-October, the Spanish government introduced proposals for new regulations to be implemented in January 2025.
The proposed changes aim "to combat any fraud and illegal activities related to tourist accommodation".
The government proposals were announced two days after mass demonstrations in Madrid and Barcelona against high rental prices. Residents of these cities protested the challenging housing market situation and demanded action from the authorities.
