Brussels, Sept. 9, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Commissioner for Housing said on Wednesday that the rental market «is part of the problem» of the housing crisis in the European Union (EU), highlighting the «very worrying» situation in cities such as Lisbon, where rents have risen by 103% in 10 years.
«We are facing a housing crisis. We really must take action. […] And short-term rental accommodation is part of the problem in many cities», said the European Commissioner responsible for housing, Dan Jørgensen.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on the day the European Commission proposed the new Affordable Housing Act, which focuses on regulating short-term rental accommodation to ease housing pressure, he pointed out that, in many cities and areas across the EU, «the rise in short-term rental accommodation has led to ordinary people being squeezed out of their own homes, and this has caused a rise in prices that is totally unacceptable».
«If we look at what has happened to prices, it is very worrying. The figures tell a clear story: over the last 10 years, rents have risen by 59% in Berlin, 75% in Madrid and 103% in Lisbon,» he emphasised.
«Today we are providing member states and local governments with tools they can use to introduce measures that will help address some of the challenges we face,» he said.
Also present at the event, Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, noted that, «in some of Europe's most popular tourist destinations and urban centres, short-term rental accommodation can account for up to 20% of housing stock, and this has an impact on prices and rents across the housing market in these areas».
At issue is the new Affordable Housing Act, which has been awaited for months and is included in the European Plan for Affordable Housing. It establishes a common framework for identifying areas under housing pressure and defining the conditions that must be met before restrictions are imposed on short-term rental accommodation or other uses of properties that do not serve as a main residence.
Specifically, the European Commission has proposed a new framework to limit short-term rental accommodation in areas under housing pressure across the EU.
Restrictions may only be applied if the authorities can demonstrate that short-term rental accommodation has been significantly affecting the supply or accessibility of housing for at least three years.
The proposal does not provide for a general ban on short-term rentals, but sets out common criteria for determining when restrictive measures are justified; these measures must be proportionate, based on objective data and limited to the areas actually affected.
The restrictions may remain in force for a maximum of five years, with the possibility of renewal following a further assessment.
The main residence is safeguarded.
Brussels also argues that limiting short-term rental accommodation, in itself, does not solve the housing shortage; measures are needed to increase supply, notably through new-builds and refurbishment.
The proposal will now have to be negotiated by the Council of the EU (member states) and the European Parliament (MEPs).
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