# European short-term rental regulations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-short-term-rental-regulations
> Updated: 2026-10-25T02:37:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

Municipalities in Europe are implementing stricter controls on short-term apartment rentals to address housing availability and local resident concerns.

In Zurich, new regulations effective September 1 require official building permits for short-term use of business apartments in residential zones. These rules prevent short-term rentals from counting toward minimum residential quotas, a move intended to stop buildings from being converted into anonymous second homes. Airbnb has criticized the measure, arguing it will not lower rents and noting that most Swiss hosts are “homesharers” who rent out their primary residences. The company maintains that short-term rentals represent a very small fraction of total housing in Switzerland.

In Budapest, District I has proposed a draft regulation following a referendum where a majority of participants supported a total ban on short-term rentals. The proposal suggests a complete ban in the Buda Castle district starting January 1, 2028. For other parts of the district, existing accommodations would require resident consent to continue operating from 2028. The plan includes significant fines for violations, such as 200,000 HUF for individuals and up to 2 million HUF for legal entities, alongside potential 45-day temporary closures. A transition period would allow registered accommodations in the Castle District to continue operating until the end of 2027. A final decision by the representative body is expected in November.

## Claims

- 58.6 percent of referendum participants supported a total ban on short-term rentals in District I. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- In the Buda Castle area, 66 percent of referendum participants supported the ban. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The proposed ban in the Buda Castle district would take effect on January 1, 2028. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- In other parts of the district, apartment rentals would require building resident consent starting in 2028. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Registered accommodations in the Castle Quarter can continue operating until the end of 2027 if registered by December 31, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The municipal council is expected to make a final decision on the regulation in November. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Fines for violations are proposed at 200,000 HUF for individuals and 2 million HUF for legal entities. (single source)
- Violators may face a temporary 45-day closure of the accommodation. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Budapest District I proposes ban on short-term rentals in Buda Castle

Budapest's District I is considering a total ban on short-term rentals in the Buda Castle area by 2028 to protect residential life.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-district-i-proposes-ban-on-short-term-rentals-in-buda-castle

### 2026-10-22: Budapest District I proposes strict Airbnb regulations

Budapest's District I is considering a total ban on short-term rentals in the Buda Castle area by 2028 following a local referendum supporting stricter regulations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-district-i-proposes-strict-airbnb-regulations

### 2026-10-11: Airbnb criticizes partial ban on short-term rentals in Zurich

Airbnb is contesting Zurich's new restrictions on commercial short-term rentals in residential zones, arguing the ban will not lower rents or impact housing availability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/airbnb-criticizes-partial-ban-on-short-term-rentals-in-zurich

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Cite as: European short-term rental regulations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-short-term-rental-regulations