On 9 September 2026, the European Commission presented its proposal for an Affordable Housing Act, an initiative that may be particularly relevant to tourist cities such as Barcelona.

Important:

This is a legislative proposal, not an EU law that has already been adopted. It must now go through the European Parliament and the Council.

What is the Commission proposing?

The proposal aims to provide a common framework for identifying housing-stress situations and justifying certain housing measures. It covers uses of housing other than primary residence, including short-term rentals.

What does it mean for short-term rentals?

The Commission recognises that, in certain pressured housing markets, the growing use of homes for purposes other than primary residence may affect housing availability and affordability. The proposed framework seeks to ensure that restrictions are supported by evidence and tailored to local circumstances.

Greater emphasis on evidence and proportionality

The proposal would require authorities, before introducing certain restrictions on short-term rentals, to demonstrate a significant impact on housing availability or affordability and to consider whether less restrictive measures could be equally effective.

For property owners: the EU proposal does not mean that Barcelona can automatically introduce any restriction it wishes. The measure still has to go through the EU legislative process, while specific decisions remain subject to the competent authorities and applicable law.

Why Barcelona matters

Barcelona is one of the European cities where the relationship between housing, tourism and short-term rentals is particularly contentious. The European framework could become an additional reference when future measures are assessed, but it does not replace the planning, tourism or condominium rules already in force.

What should owners do now?

  • Review the property's planning and tourism status.
  • Keep evidence of licences, authorisations and regulatory compliance.
  • Do not make decisions based solely on headlines about future EU legislation.
  • Consider national, regional, municipal and condominium rules separately.

The European legislative process will take time and the text may change. For short-term rental owners, the key distinction is between a European proposal and a legal obligation that is already enforceable.

Sources

This article is based on the following public and official sources: