Barcelona, a prominent Spanish holiday destination, announced on Friday that it will prohibit apartment rentals to tourists by 2028. This significant move aims to address rising housing costs and improve livability for residents. The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, declared that by November 2028, Barcelona will revoke the licenses of the 10,101 apartments currently approved for short-term rentals.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
Mayor Collboni highlighted that the surge in short-term rentals has made it difficult for residents to afford housing, with rents increasing by 68% and house prices by 38% over the past decade. He emphasized that housing access has become a major inequality driver, especially for young people.
National and Local Reactions
While tourism is a significant economic booster for Spain, making it one of the top-three most visited countries globally, the adverse effects on local housing have sparked debates. Several local governments, including those in the Canary Islands, Lisbon, and Berlin, have also imposed restrictions on short-term rentals.
Spain’s Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, expressed her support for Barcelona’s decision, emphasizing the need to ensure access to affordable housing.
Industry and Political Responses
The Barcelona tourist apartments association, APARTUR, criticized the ban, arguing it would increase poverty and unemployment and lead to more illegal tourist apartments. Meanwhile, Airbnb, a major platform for vacation rentals, did not immediately comment on the decision.
Impact on Hotels and Local Housing
The move is expected to benefit hotels, as previous restrictions on new hotels in popular areas might be relaxed. Collboni stated that the apartments currently used for short-term rentals would either be utilized by residents or put on the market for rent or sale.
Enforcement and Future Steps
Barcelona’s local government plans to maintain a robust inspection regime to identify illegal tourist apartments once the ban is in effect. Since 2016, the city has shut down 9,700 illegal tourist apartments and recovered nearly 3,500 for local housing use. No new tourist apartments have been permitted in recent years.
This decision marks a significant step in Barcelona’s efforts to balance tourism and residential needs, aiming to make the city more affordable and livable for its residents.
