Mayor Jaume Collboni announced that Barcelona City Council will not renew any Tourist Use Housing (HUT) licenses after their expiration in November 2028. This measure will affect over 10,000 legally licensed flats in the city.
The stated objective is to return these properties to the regular residential market and combat rising rental prices. Collboni will personally communicate this decision to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky in an upcoming meeting.
The city government frames this initiative within its strategy to curb gentrification and redesign the city’s tourism model. It emphasizes that this is a planned process, allowing sufficient time for owners to adapt and for designing alternative policies that balance economic interests with housing rights.
The measure has sparked debate between advocates for a more livable city and those warning of economic impact on the tourism sector. Airbnb has not yet issued an official statement.
Barring changes, Barcelona will revoke all active tourist licenses in 2028—an unprecedented move that could transform the city’s urban model.
