Barcelona will ban property rentals to tourists until 2028
The move comes as a boom in short-term rentals has led to significant increases in rents and property values, making it difficult for local residents, especially young people, to buy a home. Licenses for more than 10 thousand apartments and houses used for short-term rentals will be cancelled.
Rising rents by 68% and property values by 38% over the past 10 years have made access to housing one of the city's most pressing problems. These apartments will be made available to residents or put on the market for rent or sale, which should help improve housing affordability.
However, the Barcelona association of tourist apartments APARTUR expressed fears that the ban would lead to an increase in illegal rentals and a worsening economic situation. In response, Barcelona's local authorities have vowed to step up inspections to identify illegal tourist apartments in order to minimize the negative impact of the ban.
Rising rents by 68% and property values by 38% over the past 10 years have made access to housing one of the city's most pressing problems. These apartments will be made available to residents or put on the market for rent or sale, which should help improve housing affordability.
However, the Barcelona association of tourist apartments APARTUR expressed fears that the ban would lead to an increase in illegal rentals and a worsening economic situation. In response, Barcelona's local authorities have vowed to step up inspections to identify illegal tourist apartments in order to minimize the negative impact of the ban.