Lisbon Residents Demand Vote to Limit Vacation Rentals Amid Rising Tourism

As tourism in Lisbon reaches unprecedented levels, thousands of locals are calling for restrictions on short-term rentals in residential areas, citing the impact on housing availability and local quality of life.

A petition, signed by over 6,600 residents and 4,400 non-residents, was recently presented to the city’s municipal assembly, requesting a referendum to curb tourist lets in residential blocks. The Referendum Movement for Housing (MRH), leading the appeal, hopes to free up housing for residents by reducing the nearly 20,000 vacation rentals in the city.

MRH spokesperson Luisa Freitas emphasizes that converting homes into holiday rentals has displaced many residents, pushing some to the city’s outskirts due to rising rents. She notes that the petition represents not only current residents but also former ones who have been affected by Lisbon’s housing policies. Freitas argues that the city's neighborhoods are losing essential services in favor of tourist-driven businesses.

Although the petition forces a municipal debate, there’s no guarantee a referendum will proceed. Freitas stresses that the aim is not to eliminate all vacation rentals but to prohibit them in buildings intended for residential use, preserving housing for locals and fostering a more balanced tourism industry.

Lisbon joins other European cities, like Barcelona, in reevaluating the impact of short-term rentals. Earlier this year, the European Union advocated for transparency around these rentals, which make up about 25% of tourist accommodations in the EU. Airbnb, a major player in the vacation rental market, expressed support for the transparency measures.

If successful, the referendum could reshape Lisbon’s tourism landscape, aiming for a model that respects local culture while benefiting the community.

Source: CNN