Barcelona’s tourist apartment owners are up in arms over the potential closure of their businesses in 2029. With nearly 7,000 legal tourist rentals at stake, an association called Apartur is taking legal action against the Catalan government. The debate centers around a decision to eliminate tourist apartments, sparking concerns over property rights and revenue loss, amounting to over €1 billion in potential claims.
The move to ban tourist apartments in Barcelona stems from a decree limiting the validity of “tourist licenses” to five years, with municipalities deciding on renewals. The city’s mayor aims to address housing access issues and curb mass tourism, despite opposition from property owners. Residents seem to support the decision, favoring regulation and affordable housing options over tourist rentals.