The city of Barcelona is facing a housing crisis, with rising rents and limited access to affordable housing for residents. In response, the mayor has made a determination to end the rental of tourist apartments by 2029. This decision was approved by Catalan elected officials, who allowed the city to not renew licenses for tourist apartments, making 10,000 housing units available for residents.
The aim of this move is to ensure that residents have access to affordable housing in the city. The town hall is taking action by recovering existing tourist apartments and putting them back on the rental or sale market for permanent residents. The licenses for tourist apartments are set to expire in November 2028, with the plan to phase out tourist apartments in the city by 2029.
The decision to limit tourist apartments is a response to several issues, including rising rents and overtourism in the city. Over the last decade, rents in Barcelona have increased by 68%, making it difficult for many residents to afford housing. Additionally, overtourism has put pressure on the city’s housing market, leading to limited availability of affordable housing for locals.
Local associations have organized protests to demand limits on tourism in Barcelona, echoing similar movements in other tourist destinations in Spain. These groups argue that overtourism has had negative impacts on local communities and their quality of life.
Overall, the goal is to prioritize housing for residents in Barcelona and address the negative impacts of overtourism on the city’s housing market. By phasing out tourist apartments, the city aims to create more opportunities for permanent residents to access affordable housing in Barcelona.
