17:43 - 29.07.2026

---

July 29, Fineko/abc.az. The European Union is preparing measures that will help city authorities impose stricter restrictions on short-term rental services such as Airbnb.

The European Commission will propose a common methodology for identifying areas with housing shortages. This will create a legal shield for local municipalities facing numerous lawsuits from property owners citing EU single market rules.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to announce this initiative in September as part of the presentation of the Affordable Housing Act (Affordable Housing Act).

According to Eurostat, close to 20% of the housing stock in the EU is not used as a primary residence. The expansion of short-term rentals in major cities and tourist centers has dramatically reduced the availability of long-term housing for local residents.