Spain enforces tough tourist rental limits to fight the housing crisis, with Barcelona set to ban all short-term rentals by 2028 amid soaring prices.

A significant crackdown on short-term tourist rentals is set to take effect in Spain after the country’s highest court ruled in favor of stringent restrictions on vacation rental licenses. The move aims to address the ongoing housing crisis, particularly in Catalonia, where demand for affordable homes continues to outstrip supply.

The legislation, which will be enacted by the regional parliament this month, will impose strict caps on tourist accommodations in areas facing severe housing shortages. Under the new rules, tourist rental licenses will be drastically reduced to a maximum of 10 per 100 residents, and any property used for short-term rentals must obtain a special permit.

The decision follows a legal challenge from 50 lawmakers belonging to the Conservative Partido Popular (PP), who argued that the proposed law interferes with state authority and violates constitutional rights such as legal certainty and equality. However, Spain’s Constitutional Court dismissed these concerns, ruling that the regulation aligns with constitutional protections and is essential to maintaining urban stability and housing affordability.

In Barcelona, a city known for its booming tourism industry and soaring property prices, the affordability crisis has triggered widespread anti-tourism demonstrations. Activists blame the rise of short-term rentals and foreign real estate investors for driving up home prices, forcing many residents out of their neighborhoods. In response, Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, has announced that no new tourist rental licenses will be issued, and all existing ones will be revoked by November 2028. This effectively means that, in just a few years, legally sanctioned tourist apartments will cease to exist in the city.

The broader impact of these measures extends beyond Barcelona. Several Spanish cities, including Seville, have seen increasing public outrage over mass tourism’s impact on daily life. As tourism plays a crucial role in Spain’s economy, the new restrictions highlight an ongoing battle between maintaining a booming travel sector and ensuring livable conditions for local residents.

Despite pushback from property owners and tourism advocates, authorities have defended the restrictions as necessary steps to protect long-term housing availability and curb speculative real estate investments. With property and rental prices reaching record highs, officials argue that urgent intervention is required to prevent further displacement of local communities.

As the regional parliament prepares to finalize the new law, its effects on both tourism and housing affordability will be closely watched across Spain and beyond.

The post Spain Cracks Down on Tourist Rentals with Sweeping Restrictions as the Housing Crisis Escalates and Barcelona Moves to Ban All Short-Term Rentals by 2028 appeared first on Travel And Tour World.