European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, has outlined plans to regulate short-term rentals (STR) across the EU, aiming to address housing shortages and curb real estate speculation. In a written reply to a parliamentary question from Emma Fourreau of The Left group, Jørgensen stated that the Commission will introduce legislative measures under an upcoming Affordable Housing Act, which will empower local authorities to take justified actions in areas experiencing housing stress. The response emphasizes respect for subsidiarity and proportionality, indicating that the EU will not impose strict, binding quotas on STR properties but will instead focus on enabling national and local responses.
Jørgensen’s reply references the existing STR Regulation, effective from May 2026, which requires digital platforms like Airbnb to share housing data with Member States. This regulation, already adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, aims to enhance transparency and provide authorities with better tools to monitor STR activity. The Commissioner’s announcement of the Affordable Housing Act builds on this framework, signaling a middle-of-the-road approach that balances market innovation with social housing needs.
Fourreau had pressed the Commission for a binding EU framework to impose local quotas on STR properties, enhance platform transparency, and integrate social and environmental goals. While Jørgensen’s response does not commit to EU-wide quotas, it promises increased transparency obligations for platforms and improved data-sharing mechanisms. City governments stand to gain enhanced tools for monitoring and managing STR, while platforms face tighter scrutiny. Urban residents, particularly vulnerable groups, may see moderate relief in housing affordability, though real estate investors will not face outright EU-imposed limits.
This parliamentary exchange and the forthcoming Affordable Housing Act signal significant regulatory activity in 2026, with the Commission expected to provide clearer frameworks for Member States in the coming months. The approach reflects a careful balance between enabling local action and respecting subsidiarity, as the EU seeks to mitigate the negative effects of short-term rentals on affordable housing without stifling the benefits of the sharing economy.