The European Union is exploring a potential ban on short-term rental properties for periods under 90 days as part of its response to Europe’s housing affordability crisis.
The proposal may be included in an upcoming European Parliament committee report on housing, according to Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly, who serves as vice-chair of the Parliament’s housing committee. The measure would enforce a minimum letting period on residential properties across EU member states.
However, the European Commission is taking a cautious approach to regulating short-term rentals due to concerns about potential impacts on Europe’s lucrative tourism sector. Officials worry that strict interventions could harm the tourism industry, which relies heavily on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
New Registration Requirements
New EU regulations will soon require short-term rental platforms to register all properties, allowing authorities to establish accurate data on active listings across Europe. This information will help the Commission determine whether European-level intervention is necessary.
The move comes as Ireland considers its own restrictions, including a potential ban on planning permissions for short-term lets in towns with populations exceeding 10,000 residents.
Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, a substitute member of the housing committee, emphasized that politicians should not rule out any measures when drafting the final report. He also highlighted the need to standardize tenants’ rights across Europe.
Limited EU Powers
While the EU cannot directly set housing targets or regulate individual member states’ property markets, the Commission plans to improve access to funding and underwrite loans to boost housing delivery. State aid rules for local authorities will be relaxed to increase social housing construction, with guaranteed funding for developers to provide greater financial security.