Brussels proposes new rules for short-term rentals in areas of housing pressure

The European Commission announced the proposal for a new regulation that establishes rules for short-term rentals in areas deemed to be under housing pressure. This proposal is part of the European Affordable Housing Plan, which aims to address the housing crisis in the European Union.

According to reports, the regulation will allow local authorities to intervene in regions where short-term rentals contribute to pressure on the rental market. The European Commission indicated that measures already implemented by municipalities will not be affected by this new proposal.

European commissioners discussed the critical situation in several cities, such as Lisbon, where rental prices have risen significantly in recent years. The EU Housing Commissioner stated that short-term rentals are one of the factors exacerbating the housing situation in urban areas.

In Lisbon, rents have increased by 103% over the last decade, raising concerns about housing affordability. The European Commission expressed the need for a common regulatory framework that can be applied across the Union to address this issue.

In addition to short-term rentals, the proposal includes limitations on the use of land with construction potential, although measures already adopted by municipalities will not be affected by the new regulations. Local authorities will thus be able to use the new guidelines as a tool to better manage housing in their jurisdiction.

The proposal will be discussed in future meetings of the Commission and the European Parliament, with a view to an implementation that could harmonize housing policies among Member States.