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TravelSpain

No Airbnb in Barcelona? City to ban short-term rentals

Ryan Allen
June 22, 2024

Barcelona's mayor has announced plans to ban short-term apartment rentals. But will that solve the city's housing crisis?

https://p.dw.com/p/4hOTI

Barcelona is one of Europe's top tourist destinations, which has also made it increasingly expensive to live in. Rents have risen nearly 70% over the past decade.

Following months of protests against mass tourism, the city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, announced plans to ban short-term tourist apartment rentals to tackle the affordable housing shortage.

But will that fix Barcelona's housing crisis? According to the city's owners' association, short-term rentals comprise just 1% of all residential units.