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 its unintended consequences, including turning apartments for residents into full-time rentals and raising housing costs for locals. Many cities around the world are tightening 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.
For our favorite Airbnbs vetted by Condé Nast Traveler editors, check out these stories:
Below, see 27 places where the local government is cracking down on short-term rentals, plus tips for travelers on how to check if a listing is illegal under recent Airbnb bans (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.
