Barcelona is Planning to Ban Tourist Apartment Rentals by 2028

Barcelona, one of Spain’s most beloved tourist destinations, has announced a bold and significant policy shift aimed at addressing the city’s escalating housing crisis. 

By November 2028, the city will ban apartment rentals to tourists, a move designed to tackle skyrocketing housing costs and enhance liveability for residents.

On June 21, Mayor Jaume Collboni unveiled this unexpected and drastic decision, stating that the city will revoke the licences of the 10,101 apartments currently approved as short-term rentals. 

"We are addressing what we believe to be Barcelona's most pressing issue," Collboni said during a city government event. 

He highlighted that the surge in short-term rentals has significantly driven up rents and home prices, pricing out many local residents and exacerbating inequality, particularly among young people.

The statistics are striking: over the past decade, rents in Barcelona have climbed by 68%, while home prices have increased by 38%. 

This boom in short-term rentals has made it increasingly difficult for residents to find affordable housing, turning access to housing into a source of inequality. 

By banning tourist rentals, Barcelona aims to reverse this trend and ensure that housing remains accessible to its citizens.

The decision comes amid growing concerns across Europe about the impact of over-tourism. 

Many European cities are grappling with similar issues, where lucrative short-term rentals have led to gentrification and local residents being priced out of their neighborhoods. 

In response, local governments in areas like Spain’s Canary Islands, Lisbon, and Berlin have implemented restrictions on short-term rentals over the past decade.

Spain’s Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, has expressed support for Barcelona's decision, emphasizing the importance of guaranteeing access to affordable housing. 

In contrast, the city's tourist apartments association, APARTUR, has criticized the move, arguing that it will lead to higher poverty and unemployment and potentially drive an increase in illegal tourist apartments. 

They suggest that the ban could negatively impact the local economy by reducing the availability of tourist accommodations.

The ban may benefit hotels, which were previously restricted from opening new establishments in the city’s most popular areas. 

Collboni has indicated a potential relaxation of these restrictions, suggesting a shift in the city’s approach to managing tourist accommodations.

Barcelona's local government has pledged to maintain a rigorous inspection regime to detect and shut down illegal tourist apartments once the ban is in effect. 

The city has already ordered the closure of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments since 2016 and has reclaimed nearly 3,500 apartments for use as primary housing for local residents. 

This proactive stance underscores the city’s commitment to ensuring that the housing market serves its residents first.

By 2028, the 10,000 apartments currently used for short-term tourist rentals will be repurposed for local residents or will be available for rent or sale on the market. 

This measure aims to mitigate the housing crisis and make Barcelona more livable for its citizens.

Barcelona’s decision to ban tourist apartment rentals is a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by over-tourism and ensuring that the city remains a vibrant and affordable place for its residents. 

As other cities in Europe and around the world watch closely, Barcelona's bold move may set a precedent for how urban centers manage the balance between tourism and local livability.