Airbnb ban in Barcelona: Is this the end of tourist apartments?

The capital of Catalonia has long been one of the most desired destinations for tourists from all over the world. With its beaches, impressive architecture and vibrant cultural life, it's no wonder that thousands of visitors choose to rent tourist apartments each year through platforms such as Airbnb. Well, this is about to change dramatically!

In a measure that has had a major impact on the tourism industry, Barcelona City Council has decided to ban tourist apartments in the city before the end of 2028.

But what does this measure actually entail? And, above all: Is this the solution that the city needs?

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Why has Barcelona decided to ban Airbnb and other tourist rentals?

The main trigger for this restriction has been the housing crisis, a problem that has been affecting Barcelona for some time. While rents have soared — an increase of 36% between 2018 and 2022 — too many residents have been displaced from their homes due to the boom in tourist rentals. Although these short-term rentals are often very lucrative for landlords, they have reduced the availability of housing for residents and have worsened the situation. According to the City Council, the ban on Airbnb in Barcelona is, therefore, a serious attempt to free up housing for residential use and control the rising cost of rents.

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, was categorical in stating: “We cannot allow a large amount of properties to be used for tourist activities in these times when housing is needed”. This is how firm he was when he announced that, starting in November 2028, tourist apartments will disappear from the city.

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What will happen to the current tourist apartments?

One of the most repeated questions about this measure has to do with what will happen to the thousands of tourist apartments that operate legally in Barcelona. Now, it's clear: licenses won't be renewed, and Once the term ends, these homes must be rented to residents or sold. The effect of this measure will be felt in more than 10,000 tourist apartments.

However, there remains a persistent question that worries many experts: what will prevent those apartments from moving to the illegal rental market? By eliminating legal tourist apartments, there is a risk that many of them will continue to operate, but outside the law, which would make it even more difficult to regulate the sector.

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Reactions and controversy: Who will be the most affected?

The Airbnb ban in Barcelona has not been without controversy: while a large part of residents and neighborhood associations have welcomed the measure, the owners of tourist apartments and the tourism sector have spoken out against it. Even the Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association warned that this ban could mean a significant drop in family tourism, one of the main groups that use these apartments.

In the words of Enrique Alcántara, president of APARTUR, “When tourist apartments disappear, not only will tourists be lost, many shops, restaurants and museums will be forced to close due to the lack of customers.” According to their estimates, tourist apartments in the city represent 40% of the accommodation supply. So what will happen to that percentage when the ban comes into effect?

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International examples: What have other cities done?

This isn't the first time tourist apartments have been banned in a big city.

‍Large cities such as Paris, New York and Lisbon have also imposed restrictions in recent years.. For example, Paris has limited the use of tourist apartments to a maximum of 120 days a year, while New York has banned rentals of less than 30 days if the owner does not reside in the property.

While these measures have reduced the number of illegal advertisements, they have also led to the emergence of parallel markets that are difficult to regulate.

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Alternatives to investment in tourist rentals; Reental, the option to diversify without regulatory risks

With the recent Ban on Tourist Rentals in Barcelona, many investors are looking for alternatives that allow them to maintain their profitability without being affected by regulatory changes. In an environment where regulations can change unexpectedly and have a direct impact on investment returns, the key lies in Diversify and opt for safer and more stable options.

This is where Reental is positioned as the ideal solution. Reental offers investors the possibility of participating in international real estate projects, which not only allows the portfolio to be diversified, but also Minimize Risks associated with local regulations, such as those currently affecting tourist rentals in Barcelona. With Reental, you can invest in a wide range of projects, from residential and commercial developments to land development in emerging and established markets.

One of the great advantages of Reental is that it allows you to Diversify your investments in international markets, thus avoiding the concentration of risks in a single city or legislation. This means that, while tourist rentals may be in decline in cities with strict regulations such as Barcelona, your investment will be backed by a Global Strategy which continuously adjusts to the best opportunities in the real estate market.

In addition, Reental provides you with access to the real estate sector through the Tokenization And the Decentralized Finance, allowing you to benefit from Automatic Monthly Passive Income, increased liquidity, and the potential for leverage or funding. Through this innovative platform, you can take advantage of an ever-expanding market without traditional industry barriers, such as high initial costs or legal complexity.

In this way, any investor, regardless of their level of experience, can securely and transparently access international real estate projects, with the peace of mind of knowing that their capital is diversified and protected against regulatory changes, such as those we have seen recently

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In short, for those looking for a way to avoid regulatory risks affecting Tourist Rentals and find new opportunities for growth, Reental is the best option. It Allows You Diversify your investments in international markets, all while accessing a constantly expanding real estate sector without being subject to local legal fluctuations.

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