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Barcelona’s costly gamble: a ban built on a bluff
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni plans to eliminate all legal short-term rentals (STRs) by 2028, despite existing regulations since 1998 and a moratorium on new licenses since 2014. City research and a 2025 study suggest removing STRs may not increase housing supply, citing potential shifts to seasonal rentals or vacancies. A 2023 New York STR ban failed to address housing affordability, and Barcelona faces broader issues like housing shortages and vacant properties.
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