The European Commission is set to propose rules targeting short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, as part of its first-ever affordable housing strategy. The plan, led by Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, aims to tackle the rising cost of housing, property speculation, and the strain on tenants across the EU.
Housing prices in the EU have risen 48% and rents 22% between 2010 and 2023, with some countries seeing much steeper increases. Nearly 9% of EU residents now spend 40% or more of their income on housing, highlighting the urgency of the social crisis. The forthcoming rules will address issues such as tenant protection, limits on short-term rentals, and policies to encourage affordable home construction.
Commission officials say the initiative seeks to prevent housing from becoming purely a speculative commodity while ensuring social stability. EU leaders are expected to discuss the plan at an upcoming summit, with the strategy aiming to balance market variations across member states while promoting long-term housing affordability.