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

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

What We Know

Barcelona's City Hall has announced a significant policy change regarding short-term rentals. According to a report by AP News, the city will not renew any tourist apartment licenses after they expire in 2028. This decision aims to address the housing crisis in Barcelona, where skyrocketing rents and real estate prices have become pressing issues for residents. The Deputy Mayor, Laia Bonet, emphasized the need to prioritize housing for locals over tourism, which contributes about 15% to the local economy.

Further corroborating this claim, Reuters reported that the city plans to scrap the licenses for the 10,101 currently licensed tourist apartments by November 2028. This move has been framed as a necessary step to combat the effects of "overtourism" and to ensure that local residents have access to affordable housing.

Analysis

The announcement from Barcelona's City Hall has been widely covered by various reputable sources, including Forbes and Rental Scale-Up. Both sources confirm the city's intention to eliminate short-term rental licenses, highlighting the number of licensed apartments and the timeline for the policy's implementation.

The credibility of these sources is strong; AP News and Reuters are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. Forbes, while a business-focused publication, also maintains a reputation for reliable reporting. The consistent reporting across these outlets lends weight to the claim that Barcelona will indeed eliminate all short-term rental licenses by 2028.

However, some property owners and industry stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of this decision. They argue that the elimination of short-term rentals could threaten their livelihoods and reduce the availability of temporary lodging for tourists. Despite these concerns, the city government appears resolute in its decision, citing the urgent need to address the housing crisis as a primary motivation.

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. Multiple credible sources confirm that the city will not renew any tourist apartment licenses after they expire in 2028, with the aim of prioritizing housing for residents over tourism-related accommodations.

Sources

1. Barcelona – Wikipedia
2. Barcelona wants to end short-term rentals. Will other tourist ...
3. Barcelona plans to shut all holiday apartments by 2028
4. Barcelona Announces Plan To Ban Tourist Rental Apartments By 2028 - Forbes
5. Barcelona to BAN SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY 2028
6. Barcelona - Pieni Matkaopas
7. Spaniards turn water pistols on visitors in Barcelona and Mallorca to ...
8. Ikoninen Barcelona on ihana kohde – matkaopas 2024 - Rantapallo