While Airbnb lets travelers do some amazing things—from staying in a chic townhouse in Florence to unwinding in a riverfront retreat in the center of Porto, Portugal—not everyone is enthused about some of the potential consequences of short-term rentals, including turning apartments for residents into full-time rental units and raising housing costs for locals. In recent years, many cities around the world have tightened up regulations on the short-term rental market, including everything from mandating that hosts remain onsite throughout the stay to implementing all-out Airbnb bans.
The restrictions are most extreme in cities struggling with overtourism. Most recently, Barcelona announced the city would ban all short-term rentals by 2029, while Athens has temporarily banned new licenses for short-term rentals in three of the city’s central districts. Whether you’re an Airbnb host or guest, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local guidelines to ensure your stay is legal.
While some studies have found that short-term rentals can increase rent for residents, others have found that short-term rentals have no, or little impact, on rental and housing prices. For their part, Airbnb says it has “collaborated with thousands of governments around the world, including many listed in this article, on developing short-term rental rules that balance the economic benefits of hosting with the needs of local communities.” A company spokesperson adds that approximately 80 percent of its top 200 markets have short-term rental regulations in place, “underscoring the critical role short-term rentals play in helping cities welcome visitors.”
For our favorite Airbnbs vetted by Condé Nast Traveler editors, check out these stories:
Below, see 27 places where the local government regulates short-term rentals, plus tips for travelers on how to check if a vacation rental listing is illegal (if it doesn’t have the correct permits, you could risk a last-minute cancellation or fine).
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
