A collective voice for all involved in the short-term rental sector in Barcelona and across Catalonia
Workers for Short-Term Rentals is the collective voice of all workers involved in short-term rentals in Barcelona and across Catalonia.
It was born from workers affected by Decree-Law 3/2023, which foresees the extinction of Tourist Use Housing (HUT) licenses in 2028.
Our mission is to raise awareness and mobilize society so that this decree-law is repealed or amended, thereby protecting thousands of families, jobs, and a model of quality tourism.
Prohibits most short-term rentals in Catalonia
All existing Tourist Use Housing (HUT) licenses will expire in November 2028.
New licenses will be required in municipalities with: a) housing accessibility problems, or b) more than 5 existing HUTs per 100 residents.
New licenses can only be issued if the urban plan of each municipality allows it.
The mayor of Barcelona has announced that he will not modify the urban plan, which will lead to the elimination of all HUTs, currently around 10,000. This type of accommodation is key for many families from all over the world who visit our city
Other municipalities could issue new licenses, but with a limit of 10 HUTs per 100 inhabitants, forcing those exceeding the limit to close existing units
Most Tourist Use Housing (HUT) units are at risk of closing in 2028. The main affected areas are the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), the Pyrenees, and coastal municipalities.
We are working families; we do not belong to large groups. Short-term rentals are our life and our work; they also help us supplement salaries and pensions. We contribute to the real economy, supporting an ecosystem of local services. We offer traveling families real homes adapted to their needs, not just hotel rooms. We are essential for redistributing tourist wealth, ensuring it reaches workers, retirees, young people, and small property owners. We denounce the collusion between large hotel chains and some politicians, who, by eliminating competition from tourist accommodation, are only looking out for their own interests.
HUTs are an essential driver for Barcelona’s GDP and employment: they represent nearly 2% of the city’s GDP and provide jobs for over 40,000 workers.
Several scientific studies have shown that the impact of HUTs on residential rental prices in Barcelona is non-existent. In fact, there are only 10,000 HUTs, 1% of the city’s rental stock, compared to 157,000 hotel beds and 30,000 properties dedicated to professional activities.
