Regulations regarding short-term rentals are being tightened, making it more difficult to find apartments for rent

Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025

European countries regulate short-term rentals via digital registration, taxes, and usage limits to manage housing crises.

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New regulations across Lithuania and Europe require all short-term rental providers to register on a digital platform and obtain a unique identifier, which must be displayed in listings. Rental platforms are obligated to share data with local authorities, aiming to regulate supply, manage restrictions, and standardize rental conditions across the EU. In Lithuania, experts welcome these changes as promoting social justice and increasing safety for both renters and neighbors. Meanwhile, other European countries are implementing various measures: Italy is tightening tax regimes for tourist rentals, potentially increasing burdens; Spain plans a 21% VAT on short-term tourism rentals under 30 days and mandates digital registration from 2025 to curb housing crises; Greece has minimal strict systems but imposes regulations based on the number of properties rented; and Austria has limited tourist rentals in Vienna to a maximum of 90 days per year, citing issues with illegal operations and neighborhood disturbances.


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