TBM Staff - Mumbai
Barcelona City Council has announced a plan to eliminate the city’s roughly 10,000 tourist flat licenses over the next five years. This measure aims to address the growing national housing crisis, which is particularly acute in tourist hubs like Barcelona, by prioritising residential use over tourist accommodation.
The decision grants Catalan authorities the power to regulate tourist flats in their municipalities. Barcelona has not issued new licenses since 2014, capping the supply at 9,600 units, though some pending legal cases remain. The city has experienced significant increases in housing rents as the supply for local residents has declined over the past decade
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Mayor Jaume Collboni described the plan as a “turning point” in tackling the problem of housing accessibility, especially for young people, acknowledging that tangible outcomes may take time but are crucial for sparking essential political and social discussions.
Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet noted that the five-year transition period until permit expiration will serve as a form of reparation for landlords.
This initiative reflects a global trend of cities taking steps to counteract the impact of mass tourism on local communities. By eliminating tourist flat licenses, Barcelona aims to safeguard the right to reside in the city and effectively address its longstanding housing crisis.
