The European Commission is developing a legislative
proposal to address the impact of local accommodation on housing affordability,
especially in cities and tourist areas.

The initiative comes under the European Affordable Housing Plan, presented in December 2025, with legislation expected by the end of 2026.

The Commission's approach is based on the principle of proportionality: there will be no blanket bans, so as not to harm tourism, a vital sector for many regions.

Instead, measures will be selective and data-driven, applied only where there is evidence that short-term accommodation reduces the housing supply for residents.

📍 Areas under housing pressure

The future legislation will define criteria for identifying areas under housing stress, where local accommodation can represent up to 20% of the housing stock, contributing to increased rents. In these areas, local authorities may apply measures such as:

• Limits on the number of rental nights per year;
• Seasonal rules that encourage long-term rentals outside the high season.

🏠 Professional hosts vs. occasional hosts

The proposal distinguishes between professional hosts (regular and high-volume activity) and non-professionals (occasional rentals), promoting fair competition with the hotel sector and strengthening consumer protection without penalizing small owners.

📊 More transparency and oversight

These rules complement Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, which comes into force in May 2026 and requires:

• Mandatory registration of accommodations and hosts;
• Data sharing by platforms (reservations, advertisements, and transactions).

These measures promote a balance between tourism and housing, acting only where there is proven
pressure on the real estate market.

By relying on local data and solutions, it protects residents, ensures fair competition,
and keeps tourism sustainable.