EU to Regulate Short-Term Rentals, Prioritizing Local Housing Needs
European Union officials are preparing to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb, but will not implement outright bans. Instead, the focus will be on protecting areas facing significant housing pressure, notably the historic centers of popular tourist cities. Measures under consideration include limiting the number of nights a property can be rented annually, or requiring owners to combine short-term rentals with other, more socially beneficial rental options, such as student housing.
The European Commission’s “Housing Plan” anticipates a formal proposal for regulating short-term rentals by the end of 2026. European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, shared initial details during a hearing before the European Parliament’s Hous committee, chaired by Italian MEP Irene tinagli.
The upcoming legislation aims to mitigate the negative impacts of short-term rentals on local housing markets. Further details are expected as the proposal is finalized.
