The price limit for seasonal rentals comes into effect in Catalonia

On 2 January 2026, the new Law on Housing Measures and Urban Planning was published in the Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC), which means that rental property owners must set rents according to the limits established for pressure zones, which practically covers all of Catalonia, regardless of the duration of the rental contract. Holiday, recreational or leisure rentals are excluded. Furthermore, a series of additional measures are introduced, such as pre-emption and retract rights in favour of the administration for the transfer of housing in high-demand areas, or the establishment of a system of penalties complementary to the rent control system. In practice, this means that the monthly rent of a seasonal lease, whether for tourism purposes or not, cannot exceed the reference index imposed by the administration, without taking into account essential parameters such as whether the property is furnished or not.

It is expected that the new European regulation on short-term rentals will come into effect in May 2026 and aims to establish common criteria across the EU that allow for actions in areas with high residential pressure. The focus is on increasing funding, reducing bureaucracy, and accelerating housing construction, although without including rent price limits or creating a common European fund, as demanded by countries like Spain. To overcome the current housing crisis, it is essential to reduce costs and timelines in housing construction, using standardized technical regulations and licensing procedures. Without this, it will be difficult to overcome the crisis.