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According to the will of the EU countries, accommodation brokers such as Airbnb should share data with cities and municipalities in the future. To be better prepared for large tourist crowds.

In the EU, short-term rentals account for almost a quarter of all tourist accommodation. Due to the massive tourist crowds, some cities had already become active. In 2020, Amsterdam introduced mandatory registration for Airbnb. The new requirements are intended to standardize the rules in individual states. In addition to the platforms and authorities, landlords and travelers would also benefit, said Swedish Economy Minister Ebba Busch.

In concrete terms, the intention is that landlords must register their rooms, apartments or houses with the government. This should also contribute to user safety and fraud prevention, it said. The online platforms should randomly check this registration and notify the authorities of any missing registration numbers or incorrect information.

As a destination, better prepare yourself for crowds of tourists

Providers must also regularly report how many guests are staying and for how long. With the data, the government should be able to better control the rental. Fairer competitive conditions are also being created for other accommodation providers, such as hotels.

The goal of the EU Commission was also that cities and municipalities can better prepare for an influx of tourists. For example, offers such as waste processing, but also opening hours of tourist information or times of waste processing should be better regulated.

The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs welcomes the agreement reached by the ministers. Before the new rules can come into force, EU member states and the European Parliament must agree again on a common position. A transitional period of two years is also provided for. (sda/oee)