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Fact Check: Barcelona's town hall announced in 2024 the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028.

Fact Check: Barcelona's town hall announced in 2024 the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028.

Published June 16, 2025
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# Fact Check: Barcelona's Town Hall to Eliminate All Short-Term Rental Licenses by 2028 ## What We Know In June 2024, Barcelona's City Hall announced...

Fact Check: Barcelona's Town Hall to Eliminate All Short-Term Rental Licenses by 2028

What We Know

In June 2024, Barcelona's City Hall announced a significant policy change regarding short-term rentals. The city plans to eliminate all existing licenses for short-term rental apartments, which number approximately 10,101, by November 2028. This decision is part of a broader strategy to address the city's housing crisis, which has seen residential real estate prices soar by an average of 38% over the past decade, with rents increasing by 68% during the same period (AP News, Reuters). Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet emphasized that the city must prioritize housing for residents over accommodating tourists, stating, "Our housing emergency obligates us, forces us, to change the way we do things" (AP News).

The initiative follows a law passed by the government of Catalonia, which stipulates that current licenses for tourist apartments will expire by 2028 in areas identified as having shortages of affordable housing (AP News, Forbes). The city has not issued new tourist apartment licenses since 2014, and the decision to phase out existing ones has sparked significant debate among property owners and residents alike (AP News, Lodgify).

Analysis

The claim that Barcelona's town hall announced the elimination of all short-term rental licenses is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press, Reuters, and Forbes all report on the city's decision to not renew any tourist apartment licenses after they expire in 2028 (AP News, Reuters, Forbes). The consistency across these reputable news outlets lends credibility to the announcement.

However, there are concerns raised by property owners and industry representatives, such as the Association of Tourist Apartments of Barcelona, who argue that the elimination of short-term rentals could negatively impact the local economy and tourism sector (AP News). Critics of the policy also warn that it may lead to a rise in unregulated vacation rentals, creating a black market (AP News). Despite these concerns, the city government maintains that the policy is necessary to address the pressing issue of housing affordability for residents.

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with established reputations for reporting on urban policy and housing issues. The Associated Press and Reuters are well-respected news organizations known for their journalistic integrity, while Forbes provides business-focused insights that are also credible.

Conclusion

The claim that Barcelona's town hall announced the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028 is True. The announcement has been confirmed by multiple reputable sources, and it reflects a significant policy shift aimed at addressing the city's housing crisis. The decision is backed by legislative changes at the regional level, indicating a structured approach to managing the impact of tourism on local housing markets.

Sources

  1. Barcelona wants to end short-term rentals. Will other tourist ...
  2. Barcelona – Wikipedia
  3. Barcelona plans to shut all holiday apartments by 2028
  4. Barcelona Announces Plan To Ban Tourist Rental Apartments By 2028
  5. What to Know About Barcelona's Upcoming Short-Term Rental Ban
  6. Barcelona to BAN SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY 2028
  7. Barcelona - Pieni Matkaopas
  8. Barcelona to Ban Tourist Apartments to Tackle Housing Crisis

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Fact Check: Barcelona's town hall announced in 2024 the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028. | TruthOrFake Blog