Barcelona: From Pioneer in Regulation to Pioneer in Prohibition
Barcelona ends STR licenses by 2028: the policy failure, 68% rent surge, and urgent exit strategy for investors.
The rise and fall of the city that invented STR rules
In 2012, Barcelona drafted the first municipal short-term rental (STR) regulations in Europe, establishing a registry that provided legal certainty for over 9,000 licenses. However, in November 2024, the City Council decreed the total elimination of these licenses by 2028.
The failure of the premise: Less tourism did not bring affordable housing. While the city eliminated 2,800 legal licenses (a 28% reduction), residential rents rose by 68% and the purchase price per square meter grew by 52%. Barcelona built only 1,247 social housing units against the 47,000 needed.
The 2028 Paradox: With 12.2 million visitors expected and hotel capacity stagnant at 74,000 beds, the city faces a housing gap of at least 38,000 beds per night.
Market impact: The average license price has collapsed from 45,000 EUR in 2023 to just 18,000 EUR in 2025. For managers of large portfolios (over 200 units), the current scenario is one of forced liquidation.
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Gianpaolo Vairo
Covering the short-term rental industry for Scale Wire. Focused on Regulations, technology trends, and market analysis.
