Barcelona has recently introduced significant measures to regulate apartment rentals for tourists and make housing more accessible to its residents. These steps come in response to rising rental and property prices, which have made it increasingly difficult for many residents—especially young people and lower-income individuals—to find affordable housing.
End of Tourist Rental Permits by 2028
Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced that by the end of 2028, all licenses for tourist apartments in the city will be revoked. This affects more than 10,000 registered tourist apartments. The goal is to bring these homes back into the regular rental market and increase the availability of affordable housing for locals.
New Regulations for Temporary Rentals
In addition to tackling tourist rentals, the mayor has proposed subjecting temporary rental contracts to the same price regulations as regular rental agreements. This is intended to curb speculation and ensure that more homes are available for permanent residents. Currently, many apartments are rented out temporarily because they are not subject to regular rent controls, leading to unfair competition and further pressure on the housing market.
Mandatory Registration Number for Landlords
Starting January 2, 2025, all landlords in Spain will be required to have a unique registration number for any form of short-term rental, including vacation homes and temporary stays. Without this number, it will be illegal to list properties on platforms like Airbnb or Idealista. This measure aims to increase transparency and combat illegal rentals.
Purchase of ‘Casa Orsola’ to Prevent Evictions
As part of its efforts to address immediate housing problems, Barcelona’s city council has announced plans to purchase the Art Nouveau apartment complex ‘Casa Orsola.’ This move aims to prevent the eviction of tenants and stop the building from being converted into tourist accommodations. The plan is to transform all apartments into social and affordable housing, contributing to the city’s broader efforts to alleviate the housing crisis.
These measures reflect Barcelona’s strong commitment to reforming the housing market and restoring the balance between tourism and residents’ well-being. While these changes will take time to fully take effect, they mark a significant turning point in the city’s housing policy.