EU "hits" Airbnb, here's what's changing! - Brussels aims to ease the housing crisis in the most problematic areas
The European Commission is expected to propose new rules on housing, which will give national and local authorities more scope to restrict short-term tourist rentals and the purchase of properties not used as main residences.
The initiative comes at a time when the housing crisis is deepening in many European cities. According to EU data, house prices rose by 64.9% between 2015 and 2025, while rents increased by 21.8%. In many cases, housing costs are rising significantly faster than residents' incomes.
In 2024, around 10% of EU city dwellers spent more than 40% of their disposable income on housing. Cities such as Lisbon, Barcelona and Prague have experienced years of complaints from residents who argue that short-term rental platforms have taken housing away from the traditional market and driven up prices.
Although short-term rentals only account for around 1.2% of the housing stock in the EU, in some tourist destinations they can reach up to 20%. Under the Commission's new approach, cities will be able to intervene in particular against professional operators who manage some properties for tourist purposes. Meanwhile, the right of individuals to occasionally rent out their main residence is expected to be protected.
The restrictions will not be applied generally, but only in areas where there is clear evidence of serious pressure on the housing market. Brussels believes that restricting short-term rentals is not enough to solve the crisis. According to the Commission's estimates, more than 2 million new homes are needed every year, especially in areas where demand is highest.
The crisis has also affected the middle class, with many families unable to afford or rent, and at the same time not meeting the criteria for social housing. According to studies, around 1.2–1.3 million people experience homelessness every night in the European Union, a situation mainly linked to the housing crisis and the rising cost of living.
The European Commission is expected to present its new housing plan on September 9, which is expected to more clearly define the measures that cities and governments can take to cope with the crisis.
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