Buda Castle District considers Airbnb ban via resident poll

The Buda Castle District council in Budapest is launching a poll to determine the future of short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, within the district. The initiative aims to gather resident input to inform upcoming regulations, as a statutory moratorium on registering new short-term accommodations is set to expire at the end of the year.

District I is a major tourist destination, particularly around the Buda Castle area. While short-term rentals generate significant tourism revenue for local businesses and families, residents' associations and property owners have raised various concerns regarding their impact on the neighborhood.

Mayor László Böröczsaid stated that the council intends to preserve the area as a vibrant residential district while acknowledging the economic importance of tourism. Residents aged 18 and older with a permanent address in District I will be asked whether they support a complete ban on Airbnb or, if not banned, whether they support the council imposing specific conditions on short-term accommodation provisions. Currently, there are more than 400 licensed private and commercial short-term accommodations in the district.