Barcelona City Council announced the gradual elimination of all short-term tourist rental licenses by November 2028. The measure, announced by Mayor Jaume Collboni, aims to bring thousands of homes currently used for tourism into the residential market.
According to official figures, 10,101 tourist apartment licenses will not be renewed once they expire. This action is part of a municipal strategy aimed at modifying the use of the housing stock and responds to the pressure exerted by tourism
on the availability of housing in the city.
The initiative is based on Decree 3/2023 of the Catalan government, which grants municipalities the power to limit or revoke permits for tourist apartments. According to information published by El País, the Constitutional Court has upheld the legality of these restrictions, allowing for their effective implementation.
Mayor Collboni stated that the purpose of the measure is to facilitate access to affordable housing and reduce real estate speculation. The local administration believes this policy will contribute to changing the urban landscape in favor of residential use.
Various stakeholders in the tourism sector, including Airbnb and owners of tourist apartments, have expressed their disagreement with the decision. They argue that it could have negative economic repercussions, including the loss of tourism-related jobs.
Studies carried out by the Barcelona City Council estimate that the elimination of these licenses could generate a reduction in rental prices of between 8% and 13% in the coming years, although these effects will depend on the evolution of the real estate market and other external factors.
Source: El País
