Anna Hartz
Cities like Barcelona, Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam are facing a new kind of pressure.
The rise of short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb is changing the housing market. Locals often struggle to find homes, and rents in popular areas keep climbing.
Governmental Managing?
The European Commission wants to tackle this problem. Dan Jørgensen, the EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, introduced a new plan on Thursday aimed at tightening rules for short-term rentals, according to DR. The goal is to make it easier for residents to access housing while still allowing tourism and rental opportunities.
Jørgensen stressed that this is not a ban on Airbnb or other platforms. Short-term rentals can have benefits. They provide extra income for homeowners and offer flexible options for visitors. But they can also push locals out of the market and drive up rents in high-demand areas.
The Commission plans to support national governments in managing these rentals. Possible measures include setting a limit on the number of nights a property can be rented each year. Another idea is to restrict rentals to peak tourist seasons while keeping homes available for students or long-term residents during the rest of the year.
Housing Market under Pressure
The EU also wants to identify areas where housing markets are under the most pressure. Local authorities could then get help to speed up permits for new construction. This would create more housing and reduce some of the strain caused by short-term rentals.
The growth of short-term rentals in Europe has been significant. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of rentals increased by 93 percent, according to the Commission. In some of the most visited cities, up to 20 percent of available housing is used for short-term rentals.
The European Commission says that without action, this trend will continue to squeeze residents and make housing less accessible. They plan to release more concrete tools and guidelines next year. These steps aim to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of local communities.
Commissioner Jørgensen summed it up: the goal is not to punish rental platforms, but to make sure that residents can continue to live in the cities where they were born and build their lives.
Sources: DR
