In his view, the mayor of Barcelona has taken this decision because he is concerned that an explosion in such properties is leading to the loss of permanent rental homes for residents.
It is the second country in the world by attendance after France, and Barcelona attracted 10 million visitors last year. This is a good market for those who want to get some extra euros by letting out rooms.
The same is true in neighboring Portugal, where the demand for Lisbon has depleted the availability of rental stock in the city even at some times of the year, and to such an extent that it has provoked complaints from those who live there year-round.
Barcelona’s mayor Jaume Collboni was reported by El Pais newspaper as saying he hopes to oust Airbnb from the city by failing to renew licenses for the more than 10,000 properties permitted for short-term renting when their licenses expire in 2028. These apartments “will be used by the city’s residents or will go on the market for rent or sale,” said the mayor.
The Times newspaper in the UK said the decision by the mayor puts the Catalan city in the vanguard of a backlash against the effect of online-based short-stay rentals on cities “with the most radical global measure yet.”
