The European Commission aims, in the new European Union (EU) plan for affordable housing, to focus on the renovation of buildings, particularly vacant ones, and to put an end to the 'boom' in local accommodation and real estate speculation to address the housing crisis.
Brussels wants houses rebuilt and an end to the 'boom' in local accommodation and speculation
Tuesday, 16 December 2025RSS
Context & Explainers
Local accommodation (alojamento local) means short-term tourist rentals—private apartments, houses or rooms rented for days or weeks—that must be registered and licensed with municipal authorities. Municipalities can suspend or cancel licences (Lisbon cancelled about 6,700 licences in early 2026), so travellers and hosts should check a listing's registration and local rules before booking or offering stays.
