In January we attended the presentation of the study "Impact of eliminating tourist-use housing in Barcelona", produced by PwC for Apartur. These are the figures and conclusions worth knowing as an owner.
The figures behind Barcelona's HUTs
Tourist-use dwellings (HUTs) are a measurable economic engine for Barcelona, not a footnote:
- €1,928MGDP generated in 2023 (1.9% of the city's GDP)
- 14%Of Barcelona's tourism GDP
- 3.5×Economic multiplier for every direct euro
- 40.340Jobs supported (61% indirect)
- €2,063MTourist spending in 2023 (accommodation + leisure + retail)
- 665 €GDP generated per guest accommodated
Debunking the myth: are HUTs responsible for rising rents?
The study takes on the most recurring narrative about tourist flats head-on. The data:
- HUTs account for just 1.2% of the total housing stock in Barcelona — a share that has stayed stable since 2014.
- The removal of more than 10,000 illegal tourist flats in previous years produced neither a fall in rental prices nor a significant increase in residential supply.
- In districts such as Nou Barris, where there was no increase in HUTs, prices still rose by 111%. If HUTs caused the increases, that should not have happened.
The real factors behind prices
The report identifies three main causes that better explain Barcelona's rental dynamics:
- Insufficient new supply. Fewer homes are built than demographic and economic growth requires.
- Growing demand. Population growth, incoming workers and the formation of new households.
- Macroeconomic factors. Interest rates, cost of financing, materials inflation.
The risks of banning HUTs
The study is also clear about what could happen if a full ban were implemented:
1. A revival of the shadow economy
Demand for short stays does not disappear by decree. Bans tend to push it into an illegal parallel market — as already happened in Barcelona before 2017.
2. Job losses in connected sectors
Restaurants, local retail, transport and tourism services depend on the visitor flow generated by HUTs. Eliminating them would mean losing thousands of indirect jobs long before any residential gains.
3. Reduced tax revenue
In 2023, HUTs generated €58.3 million in tourist taxes — resources that go to social programmes and the upkeep of the city. Removing them means removing that budget line.
Towards smart, collaborative regulation
The study's conclusion is not "more HUTs". It is smarter regulation:
- Keep it legal — make it easier to operate regulated HUTs so the shadow economy does not return.
- Channel tourism revenue into social housing — use the tourist tax specifically for housing access projects.
- A metropolitan view — spread tourist pressure across the whole metropolitan area instead of concentrating it in Ciutat Vella and the Eixample.
"Banning is not the solution. Smart regulation is the path to a prosperous and balanced model."
An opportunity for owners
The landscape is changing. If you own a tourist flat in Barcelona, there are three sensible moves right now:
- Maximise profitability while your tourist licence is still alive — there are less than 3 years until the 2028 cut-off. Every month without optimising is income lost before the regulatory deadline.
- Have a plan B ready — mid-term rental (32 days to 11 months, no tourist licence, compliant with Law 11/2025) is the natural pivot. We explain it here.
- Stay informed — the rules change fast. Subscribe to our guides so you do not miss a change.
The HUT sector is a pillar of Barcelona's economy — and its future depends on striking a balance between regulation and sustainability. The owners who move first are the ones who will land well when the rules settle.
Please note. This guide is indicative and reflects the rules published on the date of updating. Municipal conditions change and each town hall applies its own: always confirm your specific case with the town hall where the property is located before making decisions. It does not constitute legal advice.