Barcelona, one of Spain’s most popular vacation spots, would prohibit foreigners from renting apartments by 2028. Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, announced on Friday, June 21, that the city will no longer renew the licenses for the 10,101 units that are currently permitted for short-term rentals by November 2028.
Collboni stated at a city government event, “We are confronting what we believe to be Barcelona’s largest problem,” according to Reuters news agency. Barcelona is making this move in an effort to control rising housing costs and improve living conditions for city dwellers.
Collboni stated that some Barcelona residents are unable to purchase an apartment due to the city’s surge in short-term rentals, which has resulted in a 68% increase in rent over the previous ten years and a 38% increase in the cost of purchasing a home. The mayor said, “Access to housing has become a driver of inequality, particularly for young people.”
Isabel Rodriguez, Spain’s Minister of Housing, declared that she agreed with Collboni’s choice. Minister of homes Rodriguez stated on X that “it’s about making all the necessary efforts to guarantee access to affordable housing.”
The tourist apartment group APARTUR in Barcelona criticized the mayor’s decision. APARTUR added, “Collboni is making a mistake that will lead to (higher) poverty and unemployment,” and that the prohibition would also cause the number of unauthorized vacation rentals to increase.
However, after the prohibition is put into effect, Barcelona authorities stated they will continue to use their “strong” inspection system to find any possible unlawful tourist residences.
Hotels will profit from Collboni’s choice. As per Reuters, the far-left party that ruled Barcelona from 2015 until 2023 prohibited the establishment of new hotels in the city’s most popular locations.
Collboni has hinted that he might ease the restriction, though.