Airbnb skaper misnøye i Europa: – Vokst seg større og større

Airbnb is causing turmoil in Europe as it grows in size and scope, according to Bent Sofus Tranøy, a professor of political science at Universitetet i Innlandet. Tranøy explains that this is part of a broader trend across Europe, with many cities experiencing protests against the rise in short-term rentals and the unaffordable housing market, particularly for young people.

In Norway, the situation is somewhat behind the European developments, with Airbnb being the initial phenomenon before public reaction and political action.

Tranøy suggests that the European trend has already advanced in large cities like Barcelona, where Spanish authorities recently paid Airbnb 64 million euros to allow advertisements for unregulated properties. In Barcelona, 10,000 licenses for short-term rentals have been revoked by 2028, and thousands of people took to the streets at the end of September to protest a 87-year-old woman being evicted from her home due to an abrupt increase in rent.

Ortega de Miguel, a 38-year-old protester, described the struggle to find affordable housing and the fear of being evicted.

The issue is not unique to Spain; protests have been ongoing in other countries as well. For instance, in 2023, thousands marched in Madrid to protest the eviction of an 87-year-old woman after she couldn't pay her higher rent. In 2022, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that there are "too many Airbnb's and not enough homes," according to El País. Over the past decade, EU housing prices have increased by 53%, while income growth has risen by only 10%, as reported by the European Parliament.

The underlying issue, as Tranøy points out, is the investment in housing, which has led to an imbalance between investment motives and the need for affordable housing. This has resulted in a shift towards investment over necessity. A study found that Airbnb activity in Barcelona neighborhoods increased rents by 1.9% and property prices by 4.6%.

Areas with more Airbnb presence saw a 7% increase in rents. In Florence, Italy, increased rents and local discontent have led authorities to plan measures, including blocking new short-term rental licenses in a 16-square-kilometer area for two years.

The impact of Airbnb is felt across the EU, with booking platforms accounting for about a quarter of tourist overnight stays in the EU, totaling 951.6 million bookings in 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has referred to the company as a "practical sin," even though it has contributed to a 60% rise in Barcelona's hotel prices over the past decade while the number of Airbnb listings has decreased.

Chesky argues that while many tourists use Airbnb, a significant portion are cruise ship passengers and hotel guests, with roughly 70% in Barcelona, according to Business Insider.