> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Barcelona Approves Housing Rules to Limit Short-Term Lets - URL: https://barna.news/barcelona-approves-housing-rules-to/ - Published: 2026-11-03T10:49:56.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-03T10:49:56.000Z - Description: A new city plan modification will allow Barcelona to restrict tourist rentals and prioritise permanent homes. - Author: Barna.News News Desk - Tags: Housing, Catalonia On Tuesday 3rd November 2026, the Urban Planning Subcommittee of Barcelona, made up of representatives from the Generalitat de Catalunya and Barcelona City Council, definitively approved a modification to the Metropolitan General Plan (PGM) to strengthen protections for permanent housing. The change allows the city to regulate seasonal and room rentals, with future rules able to prohibit or limit non-residential use in specific districts, neighbourhoods, or buildings. Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, said the update aims to ensure that housing in Barcelona prioritises its residential function and protects habitual, permanent living. She described the PGM change as an example of how urban planning can safeguard citizens' right to live permanently in their neighbourhoods. The decision follows a diagnosis showing a decline in homes used as primary residences, which fell from 86.1% in 1991 to 83% in 2021, despite an overall increase in housing stock. Under the new framework, habitual and permanent residential use will be permitted without restriction in all zones where housing is allowed, empowering the city council to impose targeted limits on short-term lets. --- ## Regulating Room and Seasonal Rentals For permanent room rentals, the modification guarantees tenants’ access to essential common spaces and services. In the case of seasonal rentals, authorities will require documented justification, such as work, medical treatment, or study, and aim to prevent fraudulent use. The city also intends to encourage the return of short-term rental properties to the long-term residential market. > This is a step toward ensuring housing serves residents first, not tourists or investors, said Paneque. The approved changes amend Articles 276 and 302A of the PGM, forming part of broader efforts by local and regional institutions to protect housing rights. Further regulations from Barcelona City Council will determine how and where restrictions are applied. --- *Sources:* [*Diari Catalunya*](https://diaricatalunya.cat/barcelones/barcelona/barcelona-protegeix-lhabitatge-habitual-davant-dels-lloguers-de-temporada?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Govern de Catalunya*](https://govern.cat/gov/notes-premsa/887056/paneque-aprovem-canvi-protegir-lhabitatge-habitual-permanent-ciutat-barcelona?ref=barna.news)*,* [*diaricatalunya.cat*](https://diaricatalunya.cat/en/barcelones/barcelona/barcelona-protects-habitual-residences-against-seasonal-rentals?ref=barna.news)*.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Tenants' Union Demands Action on 1,115 Empty Flats in Castelldefels](https://barna.news/tenants-union-demands-action-on-1-115/) - [Hundred protest against private housing tenders in Barcelona](https://barna.news/hundred-protest-against-private-housing/) - [L'Hospitalet to Buy Land for Social Housing](https://barna.news/l-hospitalet-to-buy-land-for-social/) - [Gavà to penalise empty and tourist flats](https://barna.news/gava-to-penalise-empty-and-tourist-flats/)