Barcelona to Ban Tourist Apartment Rentals by 2028 to Tackle Housing Crisis

Barcelona, renowned for its appeal to tourists, is taking decisive action to address its housing affordability crisis. By 2028, the city will prohibit apartment rentals to tourists, a move aimed at making housing more accessible for its residents.

End of Short-Term Rentals

Mayor Jaume Collboni announced that by November 2028, Barcelona will cancel the licenses for over 10,000 short-term rental apartments. This measure targets what Collboni identifies as the city’s most pressing issue. The surge in short-term rentals has led to a 68% increase in rents over the last decade, alongside a 38% rise in house prices, making it difficult for locals, particularly the youth, to secure housing.

Balancing Tourism and Housing

While tourism significantly contributes to Spain’s economy, with the nation being a top global destination, the influx of visitors has exacerbated housing issues in Barcelona. Gentrification and the preference for tourist rentals over long-term housing have pushed locals out of the market. Other European cities like Lisbon, Berlin, and regions such as the Canary Islands have also implemented restrictions on short-term rentals to address similar issues.

Support and Opposition

Spain’s housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, supports Barcelona’s decision, emphasizing the importance of ensuring affordable housing. Conversely, the Barcelona tourist apartments association, APARTUR, predicts that this ban will increase poverty and unemployment and drive up illegal rentals.

Hotels and Future Policies

Hotels could benefit from this change. The previous ban on new hotel openings in popular areas might be lifted, according to Collboni. However, the city’s hotel association has yet to comment on the policy.

Enforcement and Inspections

The local government plans to enforce strict inspections to prevent illegal tourist apartments once the ban is in effect. Since 2016, Barcelona has shut down nearly 10,000 illegal tourist rentals and converted about 3,500 units back to primary housing for residents.

Community Response

Local groups are organizing a protest on July 6, calling for limits on tourism to protect housing availability. This follows similar protests in other Spanish tourist destinations like the Canary Islands and Palma de Mallorca.

Conclusion

Barcelona’s move to ban tourist apartment rentals by 2028 reflects its commitment to addressing the housing crisis while balancing the needs of its tourism industry. The city’s approach will serve as a case study for other tourist-heavy cities facing similar challenges.