Barcelona is a vibrant city that attracts a large number of tourists, many of whom opt to stay in accommodations offered through platforms like Airbnb. A recent analysis conducted by the independent portal Inside Airbnb has shed light on the quantity and distribution of these accommodations in Barcelona.
According to Inside Airbnb, there are a total of 18,321 accommodations listed on the platform in Barcelona, ranging from individual rooms to entire apartments. Of these, 60% are complete homes with an average nightly rate of €138 and an average rental duration of 103 nights per year. The neighborhoods of Old City and Expansion are particularly popular for these accommodations, although the distribution throughout the city center is relatively even.
In response to the growing popularity of short-term rental accommodations, the Generalitat of Catalonia has implemented new regulations to regulate the sector. Starting in 2024, all tourist apartments must be registered through a responsible declaration, accompanied by a certificate of compliance and proof that the properties are fully furnished and not rented out by individual rooms. However, nearly 28% of the listings do not meet this last requirement. Additionally, a system of renewable licenses every five years has been introduced, with a five-year transitional period that may be extended under certain circumstances.
These regulations not only aim to organize the tourist rental market but also to mitigate the impact on the long-term rental market. The Generalitat passed a decree in April that restricts temporary rentals to leisure, vacation, or professional conference purposes in an effort to curb the rise in real estate prices, which have doubled over the past decade. Similar measures have been taken in cities like Amsterdam and New York, where strict regulations have been imposed to address rental market challenges.
Overall, these regulations seek to strike a balance between the benefits of tourism and the protection of local residents, as well as the maintenance of the residential character of neighborhoods. While the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, they reflect ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by the rise of short-term rental accommodations in popular tourist destinations like Barcelona.