Barcelona plans to scrap holiday rentals by 2028

Tourists will be banned from renting apartments in Barcelona in a controversial move aimed at clamping down on soaring housing costs in the city. Over 10,000 holiday lets, which are advertised on platforms like Airbnb and Homeaway, will instead be made available to residents from 2028, the city's mayor said.

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Mayor Jaume Collboni claimed home rental prices in the top holiday destination had soared by 68 per cent over the past decade with the cost of property ownership increasing by 38 per cent.

“We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem. More supply of housing is needed and the measures we are presenting today are to provide more supply,” Mr Collboni said.

Mr Collboni’s opposition accused him of undermining property rights and claimed the move resembled the far-left regime of Venezuela.