The European Commission unveiled its Affordable Housing Package on Wednesday (9 September), in an attempt to curb the rise in short-term rental properties in tourist cities and increase access to affordable housing.
Some 40 percent of Europeans see affordable housing as a big problem where they live, a figure rising to half of the population in cities, according to a June 2025 Eurobarometer survey.
“Lack of affordable housing is a matter of concern for so many of our European citizens. Essential workers and students cannot afford to live where they serve and study,” said EU commisison president Urusla von der Leyen.
Under her housing plans, local authorities in “areas under housing stress” can justify restricting the purchase of a house being used for short-term rentals like Airbnb.
The EU cannot directly intervene in the housing policy of member states. But it can harmonise rules that affect the internal market.
