The Rising Bans and Restrictions on Airbnb Across the Globe

More and more governments are cracking down on Airbnb.

This very popular platform which allows people to rent their houses or their spare rooms to tourists, has been accused of inflating property prices, emptying cities of their inhabitants, fueling overtourism.

D’Europe to UNITED STATEScities have begun to impose restrictions on short-term rentals to counter this.

Last week, Florence in Italy announced a ban on new ads Airbnb and other short-term vacation rentals in its historic downtown area. The country is now considering tightening the rules nationwide.

It’s not the only destination to set foot on land. This week, the Malaysian island of Penang introduced a ban on Airbnb-style accommodations.

Here are all the places with bans or restrictions on short-term rentals.

Where is Airbnb banned or restricted in Europe?

France: Paris limits the number of rental days

Parisians wishing to rent their main residence on a platform such as Airbnb must register with the local town hall. They are limited to renting out their primary residence for a maximum of 120 days per year.

For second homes or to rent a property for more than 120 days, they must officially transform it into furnished tourist accommodation. The city even has a dedicated unit to track down illegal rentals and fines offenders.

Germany: Berlin imposes strict rules on Airbnbs

Berlin previously introduced a ban onAirbnb. This has now been lifted, but strict rules – enforced with hefty fines – remain.

Airbnb hosts in the city must have a permit to rent an entire property on a short-term basis. Secondary residences can be rented for a maximum of 90 days per year.

AT Munichshort-term rentals of whole houses are limited to eight weeks per year, after which permission must be obtained.

A Stuttgarthosts who rent out more than half of their property short-term are limited to 10 weeks per year without a permit.

Italy: national restrictions could be considered

Florence recently joined Rome to impose restrictions on style rentals Airbnb. The city is preparing to limit new tourist accommodation in its historic center. Venice et Milan are also discussing the introduction of restrictions.

And the trend looks set to continue. The Italian Ministry of Tourism has drafted a law to limit short-term vacation rentals across the country. It aims to help popular tourist destinations, many of which are facing housing crises and overtourism.

The law, which targets rentals of less than 30 days, has not yet been finalized. It would mandate a two-day minimum stay in cities and tourist hotspots.

Netherlands: Amsterdam limits Airbnb stays

AT Amsterdam, hosts can only rent their properties for a maximum of 30 nights per year. All of the above require a short stay permit.

Portugal: licenses for Airbnbs are no longer issued

To combat rising rental prices, the Portugal stopped issuing new licenses for Airbnbs and other similar vacation rentals – except in rural areas.

All vacation rental licenses will now be reviewed every five years. A new rental price control system has also been implemented. Airbnb owners are also offered a tax break if they convert their properties back to regular homes.

Spain: private room rentals are limited in Barcelona

In 2021, Barcelona became the first European city to ban short-term private room rentals. Guests are not permitted to rent a room for less than 31 days. A dedicated team checks for illegal ads and has them removed. Rental of entire houses or apartments is still permitted with the appropriate license.

Palmathe popular capital of Majorca, banned tourist rentals in apartment buildings. The hosts Airbnb can only rent single-family homes, which must be detached houses or villas.

Valencia is currently battling with the courts to ban short-term vacation rentals in its historic center.

United Kingdom: London has capped annual stays in Airbnbs

In London, the hosts Airbnb are only permitted to rent their property for 90 nights or less per year without requesting a change of use. The limits have been enforced to ensure short-term rentals are sustainable and minimally disruptive to the city.

Hosts with new listings in Scotland must now obtain a license to use a property for short-term rental before accepting any reservations.

AT Edinburgha building permit is required to rent a secondary residence on Airbnb. The city’s 10-year development plan, announced in December, could allow the council to refuse short-term rentals altogether in the future.

In North Irelandanyone providing tourist accommodation as a business – including through Airbnb – must obtain a certificate of Tourism NI.

Where is Airbnb banned or restricted in the US and Canada?

A growing number of cities and states in UNITED STATES also strengthen regulations on Airbnb. For some cities, capping the number of permits for short-term rentals not only curbs unwanted tourism, but also keeps existing hosts profitable.

Here’s how some popular US tourist destinations are holding back Airbnb.

Plagued by overtourism and inflated property prices, Honolulu targets short-term vacation rentals. Hawaii cracked down on Airbnb by banning rental stays of less than 90 days on the island d’Oahuwhich is home to the famous beach of Waikiki. Counties on the island are also allowed to introduce their own rules to phase out short-term rentals from this year.

famous as the home ofElvis Presley and the place where Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered, Memphis, Tennessee, is a popular tourist destination. From July 2023, the new owners Airbnb of the city must hold a license. This includes obtaining insurance coverage of at least $1 million (€930,000) and having an adult on call within 50 miles to respond to any violations of city ordinances, such as noise levels.

Early June, New York made headlines when Airbnb sued the city over its “de facto interdiction” short-term rentals. A law, due to come into force in July, imposes strict registration, zoning and maintenance rules on hosts, who will have to provide proof that they live in the properties with their guests.

Palm Springsin California, capped the number of days a property can be rented short-term at 26 days. It also limited these rentals to 20% of units in residential areas. Elsewhere in California, San Francisco has a 90-day rental limit and strict compliance rules for Airbnbs.

The Canada, too, is setting foot on Airbnb-style rentals. Some boroughs of Montréalau Québec, have completely banned new short-term rentals to ensure there is enough housing for residents. The maximum stay is also capped at 31 consecutive days in the State of Québec.

Vancouver also imposes a 30-night cap on each stay and the property must be the owner’s primary residence. AT Torontothe hosts Airbnb can only accommodate travelers 180 days a year.

Where is Airbnb banned or restricted in Asia and Australia?

The island of Penangin Malaysia – a popular tourist destination in the northwest of the country – introduced a ban on short-term holiday rentals in May 2023 to curb anti-social behavior among tourists.

Some commercial properties, such as serviced apartments, can still accommodate guests for up to three days. However, they must register with the local government, pay an annual fee and obtain the approval of at least three quarters of the people living in their building.

WhileAirbnb is legal to Tokyoau Japan, rules introduced in 2018 caused ads to plummet in the city. Short-term rentals are limited to 180 days per year and must either have an owner living on site or a dedicated person in charge of administration. Hosts must also collect guest data for government reporting. In some districts rentals are only permitted at certain times of the year.

Airbnb technically not illegal to Singapore , but restrictions mean it can not be used for most holiday stays . The country imposes a minimum rental period of three months – or six months for public housing.

AT Sydneyin Australiathe hosts Airbnb are limited to renting their properties for 180 days per year. Reservations longer than 21 consecutive days are exempt from this limit.