End of Tourist Apartments in Barcelona 2028: What Changes and How It Affects Your Booking

Barcelona City Council announced a plan to stop renewing tourist apartment licences (HUT) from 2028, when all current licences expire. It's one of the most talked-about urban policy moves in recent years, and it raises real questions for anyone planning a trip. Here's what's actually confirmed, what hasn't changed yet, and how it affects — or doesn't — your upcoming booking.

Worried your accommodation might not be available later? Every Akira Flats apartment operates under a valid, verifiable HUT licence. 👉 See apartments with a verified licence

What has actually been announced

The plan, presented by the city council in 2024, states that the roughly 10,000 active HUT licences in the city will not be renewed once they expire, with the goal that by November 2028 no tourist apartment licence remains active in Barcelona. The measure aims to free up housing for residential use amid strong pressure on the rental market.

It's important to separate what is an approved municipal plan from what could still evolve through legal challenges, regional regulation, or appeals from the sector. As with any policy of this scale, the timeline and details may be adjusted in the coming years. We always recommend checking the latest information on Barcelona City Council's official website before treating any specific detail as final.

What it means for your trip right now

If you're planning a trip to Barcelona in 2026, 2027, or even 2028, this does not affect your booking. Current licences remain valid, and legal tourist apartments continue to operate normally until the announced deadline is reached. The key is always booking accommodation with a visible, verifiable HUT licence, both now and in the coming years as the process moves forward.

🏠 HUT-licensed apartments in central Barcelona

Book with the peace of mind of staying within the law Verify the licence number of any apartment before you book. 👉 Check our HUT licences

Why this matters when choosing accommodation

Regulatory uncertainty in the sector has led some operators to stop investing in maintenance or service quality, while others keep operating without a licence, taking advantage of the confusion. This makes it more important than ever to verify legality before booking — both for legal peace of mind (avoiding last-minute cancellations from municipal inspections) and for guaranteed quality.

Unlicensed apartments don't offer the same guarantees: no mandatory civil liability insurance, no verified fire safety compliance, and the risk of being shut down by the city council at any moment, leaving guests without accommodation mid-trip.

What to expect over the coming years

While the process unfolds through to 2028, it's reasonable to expect:

• The legal supply will gradually shrink, which may push up prices for apartments with valid licences
• Inspections and penalties against illegal tourist apartments will increase, especially in areas like Ciutat Vella and Eixample
• Established professional operators with consolidated licences, like Akira Flats, will keep operating normally throughout the transition period
• The plan could be adjusted due to legal appeals, municipal political changes, or pressure from the tourism and hotel sectors

How to identify a legal tourist apartment

Before booking any apartment in Barcelona, check these points:

1. Visible HUT licence number in the listing or accommodation page
2. Licence plaque visible at the building entrance or on the apartment itself
3. Verification in the tourism registry of the Generalitat de Catalunya if you have doubts
4. An established management company with a track record and verifiable reviews, not just a standalone listing with no company behind it

Booking with a professional, established manager drastically reduces the risk of finding your accommodation shut down or cancelled at the last minute over licensing issues.

What to do if you have concerns about an existing booking

If you already have a confirmed booking in Barcelona and you're concerned about the regulatory situation, the first step is to contact the manager or owner directly and ask for the apartment's HUT licence number. A serious management company will provide it without hesitation. If you get no clear answer, or the listing doesn't mention any licence, that's a warning sign — consider switching accommodation before you arrive, not at the building's front door.

It's also worth reviewing the booking's cancellation policy (see our full guide on cancellations) so you know your options if, for any exceptional reason, your booked accommodation were to become unavailable.

Expected impact on prices and availability

As the legal supply shrinks between now and 2028, it's reasonable to expect apartments with consolidated licences to gain value, both in price and demand. Booking ahead with established management companies, especially during peak season (summer, Christmas, major events like Mobile World Congress), will become increasingly advisable to secure availability at fully compliant accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still book tourist apartments in Barcelona right now? 

Yes, without any issue. Current licences remain valid and legal apartments operate normally.

When will tourist apartments stop existing in Barcelona? 

Under the announced plan, licences won't be renewed once they expire, with the goal of having none active by November 2028. This timeline could still be adjusted through legal or regulatory changes in the coming years.

Does this affect monthly or seasonal rentals? 

Not in the same way. Seasonal rentals (over 32 days) fall under different regulations than tourist use and aren't subject to the same HUT non-renewal plan.

How do I know if the apartment I want to book has a licence? 

Ask for the HUT licence number before booking and check it against the official tourism registry if you're unsure. Any serious management company will provide it without issue.