Barcelona to Ban Apartment Rentals to Tourists by 2028 in Effort to Combat Soaring Housing Costs
Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, has made the bold decision to prohibit apartment rentals to tourists by 2028. This unexpected move, announced by the city's leftist mayor Jaume Collboni, aims to address the skyrocketing housing costs in the city and prioritize making Barcelona more livable for its residents.
Collboni stated that Barcelona would revoke the licenses of the 10,101 apartments currently approved for short-term rentals by November 2028. This action signifies a significant shift, signaling that the city is committed to tackling what is perceived as its most pressing issue.
The surge in short-term rentals in Barcelona, which is Spain's most visited city by foreign tourists, has led to a situation where some residents are unable to afford housing. Over the past decade, rents have increased by 68%, while the cost of purchasing a home has risen by 38%. Collboni emphasized that access to housing has become a source of inequality, especially impacting young people.
While tourism brings economic benefits to national governments, local residents being priced out of their own neighborhoods has become a growing concern across Europe. This has prompted various local governments, including those in the Canary Islands, Lisbon, and Berlin, to implement restrictions on short-term rentals in recent years.
Support for Barcelona's decision to ban tourist apartments has come from Spain's Socialist housing minister Isabel RodrÃguez, who stressed the importance of ensuring access to affordable housing. However, the city's tourist apartments association has criticized the move, warning of potential increases in poverty and unemployment and a rise in illegal tourist rentals.
Hotels are expected to benefit from the ban, as the opening of new hotels had been restricted in popular areas of the city between 2015 and 2023. Collboni hinted at possibly relaxing these restrictions in the future.
Collboni reassured that the 10,000 apartments affected by the ban would either be utilized by Barcelona's residents or put on the rental or sales market. The city's local government plans to maintain stringent inspections to identify and address any illegal tourist apartments that may emerge after the ban takes effect.
Despite efforts to crack down on illegal tourist accommodations, Barcelona continues to experience a rise in visitor numbers, especially following the easing of travel restrictions post-Covid pandemic.
Several local associations are organizing a demonstration on July 6 to protest against tourism growth and its impacts on the city. Similar demonstrations have taken place in other Spanish tourist destinations like the Canary Islands and Palma de Mallorca in recent months.
The decision made by Barcelona to curb apartment rentals to tourists represents a significant policy shift aimed at addressing housing affordability and prioritizing the needs of local residents, setting an example for other tourist cities grappling with similar challenges.
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