Everything you need to know for 2026!
Key points for 2026
The ten key topics for short-term rentals in 2026
2026 will bring major changes for short-term rentals. Regulations, controls and a new demand structure will affect owners, operators and platforms alike.
Space restrictions, stricter checks, more safety and insurance requirements – all of these are now in focus. Professional managers are gaining influence, experts are discussing these issues at conferences, and they are influencing investments.
Politicians and administrators are trying out new models in large cities and tourist centres. This could reduce supply in popular areas and significantly disrupt investment strategies.
1. Space restrictions and approval freezes
Many cities are now imposing spatial restrictions to limit the number of new short-term rentals. In central districts and hotspots, they are freezing approvals to prevent oversupply.
This means that new listings on platforms are becoming less frequent. Investors are therefore looking at other parts of the city or considering long-term rentals.
Cities could extend such measures further. This makes planning more uncertain and forces more thorough location analyses before investments are made.
2. Stricter checks instead of formal declarations
A simple registration entry is no longer sufficient. Authorities are now carrying out real checks and reviewing technical and operational standards.
Their list includes fire safety, ventilation, lighting, safety equipment and insurance. Anyone who fails to comply will face significant penalties – which is a deterrent.
Operators must now document everything in detail and prove that their accommodation complies with the requirements. This significantly increases the amount of work involved.
3. Professionalisation of providers
Higher requirements play into the hands of professional managers. They take care of technology, compliance and all management tasks for owners.
Small landlords are coming under pressure because security and administration are simply becoming more expensive. Many are looking for management companies or giving up.
4. Withdrawal of poor accommodation
Some simple or poorly equipped properties no longer meet the new minimum requirements. They are increasingly disappearing from the market.
Some end up back on the long-term rental market. Others stand empty or are renovated in order to be reapproved at some point.
5. Tax burdens and price developments
Taxes and new levies have a direct impact on returns and pricing. Owners are rethinking their rental prices and models.
Some operators are passing on the higher costs to guests, which is causing daily rates to rise. Others are trying to maintain profitability through efficiency or extras.
6. Digital platforms and their function
Platforms remain important, but their role is changing. They are taking on more responsibility for compliance and providing data to authorities.
Platforms are adapting their rules to new regulations and supporting verifications. They are cooperating more often with local administrations.
There is increasing pressure to moderate content more actively in order to avoid fines or damage to reputation.
7. Impact on housing shortages
Whether short-term rentals really contribute to housing shortages remains controversial. Restrictions in central areas are intended to improve the situation for permanent residents.
In some areas, there are actually fewer short-term offers, which takes some of the pressure off. Elsewhere, there is little effect.
8. Conflicts with owner representatives and property issues
New rules often meet with resistance from landlord interest groups. The issues at stake are property rights, freedom of use and financial losses.
Legal disputes and lobbying accompany the introduction of stricter rules. Discussions revolve around compensation and transition periods.
9. Shift in demand profiles
Travellers are increasingly looking for other offers and locations. Demand is shifting from city apartments to outlying areas or unusual accommodation.
New opportunities are emerging outside the traditional hotspots. Operators are adapting to the new demands and prices.
10. New market boundaries and capacity limits
Regulations and market developments are now effectively setting a new limit on the growth of short-term rentals. In critical areas, there is a clear ‘cap’.
Less supply can lead to higher prices in popular tourist areas. At the same time, niches are emerging for professional, high-quality accommodation.
- City and regional policy determines access and licensing rules at the local level.
- Compliance requirements increase costs for owners and professional managers.
- Market segments are shifting: quality is increasing, weak properties are disappearing, and demand is shifting.
- Platforms remain important, but are taking on more regulatory responsibilities.
Investors should examine locations, cooperate with management companies and regularly adapt to new rules.
Airbnb and short-term rentals: What you need to know – Restrictions – Controls – POMIDA
Many cities are currently tightening the rules for short-term rentals. Their aim is to protect living space and better control the rental market.
Authorities are defining zones in which there is a freeze on new listings. They are exercising stricter control over who is allowed to rent and how.
In these districts, there are no longer any new registration or licence numbers for short-term rentals. This applies regardless of whether the flat has been newly purchased, freshly renovated or was previously vacant.
Those who already have a registration are usually allowed to continue. However, the new rules and checks also apply to existing rentals.
Initially, the measures are focusing on central urban areas with large numbers of tourists. This is where holiday apartments have recently increased significantly, putting pressure on apartment prices and availability for locals.
The restrictions often affect historic city centres, business districts and adjacent residential areas with high demand. Sometimes it’s all a bit unclear – the boundaries are changing and not every rule is immediately clear.
The moratorium periods for new registrations usually run for one year initially. Authorities can extend these periods if the situation does not improve.
Landlords should check carefully whether local regulations offer exemptions or extension options. There are definitely differences from city to city.
Inspections are on the rise. The inspection authorities check:
- whether a valid registration number is available,
- whether the property meets all safety and health requirements,
- whether tax registration and reporting have been carried out correctly,
- and whether the use of the flat fits the permitted category.
Anyone who violates the rules faces heavy fines. Repeated or particularly serious violations may result in further measures, such as platforms blocking the advertisement or authorities completely excluding landlords.
The administrative burden on landlords is increasing. It is important to clarify early on whether your property is located in a restricted area and whether a valid registration number is already available.
Important documents – proof of ownership, rental agreements, renovation costs, tax documents – should be kept handy. Inspections can happen quickly.
The platforms are also being held more accountable. Authorities often require them to cooperate in providing listing data or host information.
Platform operators sometimes have to block or delete listings without a valid number. This puts more pressure on everyone involved.
The neighbourhood climate now plays a greater role. Local authorities are using the rules to reduce pressure on residential areas and make everyday life more pleasant for residents.
At the same time, some cities are promoting long-term rentals or creating incentives for more affordable housing. So there is still some hope for things to ease up.
Practical steps for hosts:
- Check whether your property is located in a restricted zone.
- Keep a written record of existing registrations and deadlines.
- Comply with all tax and reporting requirements.
- Prove that you comply with safety and hygiene requirements.
- Respond promptly to enquiries from authorities and platforms.
Online portals and municipal maps usually show the affected zones. Hosts should check these sites regularly, as rules and deadlines can change quickly.
If you are unsure, you can seek legal advice. Lawyers or associations know the details and can help with applications or disputes.
Landlords and owners feel the financial impact directly. Restrictions on short-term rentals can reduce returns.
At the same time, switching to long-term rentals sometimes brings more stable income. You should calculate alternatives and adjust your calculations on an ongoing basis.
The main aim of politicians is to secure affordable housing. Measures are aimed at preventing the concentration of holiday apartments in city centres.
The fact remains that regulations vary from city to city and can change quickly. There will always be a degree of uncertainty.
POMIDA and other interest groups are staying on the ball. They inform members, monitor developments and negotiate with the authorities.
Owners and landlords can contact such organisations to obtain up-to-date information and support.
Housing crisis and short-term rentals: the data does not show what many people think
Many assumptions about short-term rentals are based more on gut feeling than on actual figures.
The available data shows that pure short-term rentals make up only a tiny fraction of the housing stock.
To be honest, they hardly influence the overall picture of housing availability.
- Share of the housing stock: Only a fraction of homes are actually used exclusively for short-term rentals.
- Share of vacant homes: The share of vacant homes is also minimal.
- Impact on availability: The absolute number is so small that short-term rentals have little effect on the overall situation.
The economic effects, on the other hand, are quite clearly measurable.
The industry generates income, employment and added value across various supply chains.
This can be seen in several categories:
- Direct effects: Income from rentals and all related services.
- Indirect effects: Turnover in trades, cleaning, administration and also in the hospitality industry.
- Overall effect: Taken together, this results in a noticeable economic impact.
Looking at figures from shorter periods, a few patterns emerge:
- Direct economic contributions are usually in the low billions.
- Indirect effects add up to several billion pounds.
- The overall impact can even be significant as a percentage of GDP when everything is added up.
There are also developments in employment.
Short-term rentals create direct jobs for landlords and property managers.
In addition, there are many indirect jobs in related industries, which should not be underestimated, especially in tourist regions.
A few comparative metrics help to better understand the role of short-term rentals:
Measure |
Significance |
|---|---|
Share of total housing stock |
Shows how strongly supply is directly affected |
Share of vacancies |
Highlights potential conversions of residential space |
Direct turnover |
Measures immediate economic activity |
Indirect turnover |
Captures knock-on effects in other sectors |
Employment figures |
Shows social and local effects |
Political measures should address these differences.
Blanket bans often hit the regions where the industry secures jobs and income the hardest.
Targeted rules could limit negative effects without completely cutting off the economic benefits.
Possible targeted measures:
- Registration requirements for landlords to finally ensure greater transparency.
- Differentiated rules depending on the type of area – city centres are not the same as rural areas.
- Tax clarity so that legal providers are treated fairly.
- Programmes to bring vacant properties back onto the housing market in the long term.
It is important to keep local characteristics in mind.
In some neighbourhoods, a high concentration of short-term rentals can actually have a noticeable impact on the tenant structure, neighbourhood or prices.
Targeted restrictions make sense in these areas.
Targeted restrictions make sense in these areas.
In other areas, the presence is so low that interventions would hardly make any difference.
Data-based control also means monitoring.
Regular surveys of stocks, usage and economic effects allow measures to be adjusted.
This minimises side effects and ensures positive effects.
Quick reminder:
- Small in proportion, but often large in terms of consequences for income and employment.
- Blanket measures risk unintended economic damage.
- Targeted rules and better data ultimately lead to better solutions.
