Barcelona increases funding to €256,000 for blocking tourist apartments

The call for applications began in February and has exceeded municipal expectations by around 30%. Its aim is to help cover the costs involved in adding an explicit ban on tourist use of apartments to a building’s statutes.

Communities can recover up to 50% of notary, registration, and professional fees. If existing statutes are being amended, the subsidy is capped at €1,500; if new statutes need to be drafted, the limit rises to €2,500.

The agreement must be properly formalised and registered with the Land Registry so that the restriction is legally tied to the property. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Col·legi d’Administradors de Finques de Barcelona-Lleida and the Cambra de la Propietat Urbana de Barcelona.

There is, however, an important distinction for residents: changing the statutes can prevent new tourist apartments from appearing in the future, but it does not automatically expel those that already have authorisation and are operating legally.

The increase comes as Barcelona maintains its intention not to renew current tourist apartment licences after November 2028. The measure would affect around 10,000 properties and is part of the city’s strategy to reclaim housing for residential use, although the tourism sector has taken the plan to court.

The policy also enjoys considerable support among residents. The Barómetro Municipal published this summer shows that 75% of Barcelona residents strongly or fairly agree with withdrawing tourist apartment licences.

The change is now being decided building by building. A homeowners’ meeting can block future tourist accommodation before it appears and recover part of the administrative costs of doing so. With the increased budget and five months still left to apply, the City Council expects many more communities to add this ban to their building rules.