Hungary Considers Freeze on New Airbnb Licenses in Budapest
Reuters
Hungary’s government is considering a plan to impose a moratorium on new Airbnb licenses in Budapest and to raise taxes on short-term apartment rentals in the capital city, according to Economy Minister Marton Nagy. This announcement comes about a month after residents of Budapest’s sixth district voted to ban short-term rentals starting in 2026, marking the first such ban in one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Some residents in European tourist hotspots blame short-term rentals for driving up home prices.
In central Europe, Budapest was the most popular city for short-term stays in 2023, with 6.7 million guest nights, according to Eurostat, ahead of Vienna, Prague, and Warsaw. Eurostat figures show almost 719 million guest nights spent in the European Union were booked via online platforms like Airbnb and Booking last year, with Paris leading EU capitals with over 19 million guest nights.
Nagy stated, “We are thinking about a possible moratorium and a tax hike in Budapest,” adding that the government had not made a decision yet. He emphasized that “the Airbnb market will change, and it is sure that it cannot grow further,” calling the issue a question of housing policy.
Nagy also mentioned that the government is negotiating the proposed new rules with trade organizations in the tourism industry and that changes would not affect short-term rental properties outside the capital. In Budapest’s sixth district, 54% of voters backed the ban on short-term rentals, with a 20.52% turnout in mid-September.
08:13
Hungary-Türkiye Relations
Türkiye is indispensable partner for EU, Hungary's defense chief says
"Right in the middle of Europe, Hungary is proud of its Asian cultural roots and its close and friendly relationship with Türkiye", says Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky
10:55
ENERGY
Green energy to be supplied from South Caucasus to Europe
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary will build a direct high-voltage submarine cable connecting the South Caucasus region with the European Union, with a purpose to strengthen national and regional energy security.
13:05
Orban rejects U.S. sanctions on cabinet chief Rogan
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has dismissed U.S. sanctions on his cabinet chief, Antal Rogan, as an attack on national sovereignty. Calling them "petty revenge," he defended Rogan and vowed to push back against foreign influence, particularly linked to George Soros.
12:25
Gas
Hungary, Slovakia seek to overcome US sanctions impact on Russian gas payments
Hungary and Slovakia face challenges in paying for Russian gas due to new U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, risking supply disruptions without a legal solution.
