European Union Proposes New Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

The European Commission took a major step today, January 26, toward regulating the short-term rental market dominated by platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.

The new proposal seeks to address the "housing affordability crisis" currently gripping major European tourism hubs such as Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam. The EU’s goal is to create a unified framework that gives local governments more power to limit the number of nights a property can be rented out and to enforce stricter registration requirements for hosts.

European Commissioner for Internal Market, Kevin Eagan, stated that while short-term rentals are a vital part of the tourism ecosystem, they cannot come at the expense of local residents' ability to find affordable housing.

The proposed rules would require platforms to share data with local authorities more transparently, allowing cities to crack down on "illegal" listings that don't comply with local zoning laws. This move is part of a broader 2026 European Urban Policy aimed at balancing the benefits of tourism with the social stability of historic city centers.

For the international traveler, these restrictions will likely manifest as a "thinning" of available apartment-style accommodations and a potential rise in prices for the remaining legal listings. In cities like Paris and Berlin, where local laws are already strict, the new EU-wide framework will provide "extra legal muscle" to enforce caps on the number of tourist beds. This shift is encouraging more travelers to return to traditional hotels or to explore "rural tourism" options, which are currently being promoted by the EU as a sustainable alternative to overcrowded cities.

Travelers planning a European "city break" for summer 2026 are being advised to verify the registration status of their rentals before booking.

As the EU moves to reclaim its neighborhoods for residents, the era of "limitless Airbnb availability" in Europe’s capitals is effectively coming to a close. For the 2026 traveler, this means that booking early and staying in hotels may once again become the most reliable and socially responsible way to experience the heart of Europe.