Fighting the Airbnb Effect: What Vienna Is Doing Right

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 4:25 pm

Vienna's Fight Against Airbnb: A Model for Other Cities?

Vienna is taking a firm stand against the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly those facilitated by platforms like Airbnb, aiming to protect its housing market and preserve its residential character. While cities like Zurich, Barcelona, and Bari grapple with the impact of entire apartment buildings being converted into short-term rentals, Vienna has implemented strict regulations to curb this trend.

The city's approach is rooted in the belief that apartments are for living, not solely for profit. Since 2018, short-term rentals are restricted to main residences or require a commercial rental license. A significant move is the recent 90-day annual cap on short-term rentals. Beyond this limit, permits are required, which are rarely granted in residential areas. Vienna has also established a dedicated unit within its building authority to investigate illegal listings, with hefty fines of up to €50,000 for violations.

This proactive stance is yielding results. In 2023 alone, over 400 suspected illegal listings were reported in one district, fueled by a citizen-led campaign. The city is also cracking down on illegal rentals in municipal housing, resulting in evictions and demands for repayment of illegally earned profits.

Austria is now following Vienna's lead. The federal government plans to introduce a national online register for tourist accommodations, allowing cities to monitor short-term rentals and ensure compliance with regulations. This move is supported by the Austrian Association of Cities.

The contrast with cities like Zurich, where over 2% of apartments are listed on Airbnb, highlights the potential consequences of unregulated short-term rentals: housing scarcity, rising rents, and the erosion of neighborhood character. Other cities, such as Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam, are also implementing measures to regulate Airbnb, including licensing requirements and strict rental limits.

BNN's Perspective: While Vienna's approach appears effective in mitigating the negative impacts of unregulated short-term rentals, it's crucial to strike a balance. Overly restrictive regulations could stifle tourism and economic opportunities. A national register, coupled with reasonable limits and enforcement, seems like a sensible approach, allowing cities to address housing concerns while still accommodating responsible short-term rental practices.

Keywords: Airbnb, short-term rentals, Vienna, housing, regulations, rental register, illegal rentals, Zurich, Barcelona, Austria, housing market, tourism, permits, 90-day limit, enforcement, cities, apartments, rents, housing scarcity.

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