Massive regulatory legislation around the world against vacation rentals

01-01-24

In recent years, major tourist destinations around the world have intensified their efforts to regulate the tourist rental market, particularly platforms such as Airbnb. This trend, driven by the need to balance the demands of tourism with the interests of local residents, has led to the implementation of a series of regulatory and fiscal measures in different parts of the world.

In Europe, cities such as Paris, London, Berlin and Barcelona have adopted restrictive approaches. For example, in Paris, Airbnb hosts must register with the city council and are limited to renting for a maximum of 120 days per year.

In London, a limit of 90 nights per year has been imposed on short-term rentals, and in Berlin, since 2014, a special permit has been required to rent entire properties on a short-term basis.

Barcelona, meanwhile, requires that living spaces that are repeatedly rented out for short stays must be registered as tourist accommodations on a government website. These measures seek to control housing price inflation and preserve the character of local communities.

In Italy, Florence has banned new short-term rentals in its historic center, while in Portugal, new licenses for this type of vacation rental have been stopped, except in rural areas.

In the United States, cities such as New York and San Francisco have also implemented strict regulations. New York, for example, prohibits the rental of entire apartments for less than 30 days when the owners are not present. In San Francisco, unlike New York, Airbnb hosts can share their homes, but must meet certain requirements.

In Spain, the real estate market has experienced a growth in the sale of vacation homes and an increase in rental income, which has led cities to take regulatory measures. In Madrid, it was announced in 2024 that tourist apartments will be regulated, seeking to balance tourism with the housing needs of residents.

These regulations have a significant impact on Airbnb and other similar platforms, with some cities banning certain types of tourist rentals altogether or imposing severe restrictions. The global trend points towards greater control and regulation of tourist rentals to protect the local real estate market and preserve residents' quality of life.