EU to Revise Short-Term Rental Regulation Proposals

New options for primary residence rentals will be reviewed on November 3, potentially shifting rules for property owners.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Apartments

EU to Revise Short-Term Rental Regulation Proposals

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Should local authorities have the power to restrict short-term rentals in high-pressure housing areas?

The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU is proposing amendments to a draft regulation on short-term rental oversight. Member State experts are scheduled to review these changes on November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

The proposed adjustments aim to clarify how the regulation interacts with national housing policies and property rights. These changes are designed to address member concerns regarding the scope of short-term rental restrictions in high-pressure areas.

The draft regulation, first presented in September 2026, is now under review for potential amendments regarding primary residence definitions. The final scope of the rules for property owners in high-pressure areas remains subject to expert consensus.

The players

Irish Presidency

The current leadership body of the Council of the EU, which manages the legislative agenda and mediates policy disputes among member nations.

European Commission

The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation that impacts market regulations and consumer policy across member states.

Council of the EU

An institution where government ministers from EU member states meet to negotiate and adopt legislative acts.

The details

The Irish Presidency plans to offer two distinct options during the November 3 working party meeting to resolve disputes over property rights. These revisions seek to ensure the European Commission proposal does not override national laws or grant new powers to restrict the use of primary residences for short-term rental income. By narrowing the scope of the regulation, officials hope to reconcile the conflicting interests of Member States regarding housing access and owner rights.

Timeline

  1. The European Commission presented the draft housing regulation in September 2026.

  2. Member State experts will examine the proposed amendments on November 3, 2026.

Money Landscape

This legislative effort is part of a broader EU push to manage the impact of short-term rentals on local housing supply and costs. It follows recent attempts by the European Commission to standardize rules across high-pressure markets while respecting local housing autonomy.

Property owners who rely on short-term rental income should monitor these negotiations as they will determine the legal flexibility to rent out primary residences. Changes to this regulation could ultimately alter the eligibility of certain properties for rental platforms in high-demand tourist areas.

The takeaway

The upcoming discussions in the Council of the EU could dictate the future of short-term rental restrictions in residential areas. Property owners should track the outcome of the November 3 meeting to understand how local housing policies in their region may be affected.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest developments in Apartments.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.

Live Poll

Should local authorities have the power to restrict short-term rentals in high-pressure housing areas?