A majority of residents in Brussels are calling for the regional government to simplify regulations governing occasional home rentals, including properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb, according to a new survey released shortly after the new administration took office.
The poll found that 52% of residents believe the current framework for short-term rentals is overly complex and in need of reform. Many respondents described the system as bureaucratic, difficult to navigate, and poorly suited to people who rent out their homes only occasionally to supplement income.
The debate gained further momentum following an opinion issued by the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which criticised local rules as “disproportionate” and “lacking transparency.” The legal assessment has intensified scrutiny over how Brussels regulates its short-term rental market.
At the centre of the dispute is a case brought by SmartFlats, a Brussels-based operator that challenged the Capital Region’s requirement to obtain multiple authorisations before renting properties. These include town-planning compliance certificates and other permits that critics say create long delays and legal uncertainty.
Clément Eulry, Airbnb’s country director for Benelux and France, said the Advocate General’s opinion validates what many residents already feel. He argued that local families attempting to rent out spare rooms or homes face procedures that lack clear deadlines or safeguards.
“When local families struggle with complex procedures that lack clarity, it shows the system is not working as intended,” he said, urging policymakers to adopt fairer and more proportionate rules for occasional hosts.
The Capital Region introduced a new short-term rental ordinance in 2024 to modernise oversight. However, Airbnb maintains the changes do not sufficiently distinguish between commercial operators and residents who rent out homes for limited periods.
According to the survey commissioned by the company, most hosts do not view home-sharing as a business model but as a financial cushion. Rising living costs, higher rents and energy bills have pushed many households to seek supplementary income through occasional lettings.
In Belgium, the median host reportedly earned about €5,700 in 2024. In Brussels, roughly three-quarters of listings are rented for fewer than 120 nights a year, suggesting that most activity remains small-scale rather than professionalised.
Among lower-income respondents struggling to cover monthly expenses, support for reform was even stronger. Nearly two-thirds of those households said the rules should be “fixed,” reflecting growing concern about economic pressures in the capital.
Regional officials have yet to publicly respond. The office of Minister-President Boris Dilliès, who oversees tourism, did not comment before publication, according to local media reports.
While platforms and some residents push for simplification, municipal leaders warn that easing restrictions could have unintended consequences for housing supply and affordability.
The City of Brussels has stepped up enforcement against illegal or unregistered tourist accommodation, citing concerns that unchecked growth of short-term rentals removes homes from the traditional market and drives up prices for long-term residents.
Officials say they want to avoid scenarios seen in other European cities, where historic centres have increasingly become dominated by tourists and investors rather than local families.
To counter this trend, the city operates a dedicated monitoring unit focused on identifying unlawful rentals. Inspections are triggered by neighbour complaints, existing operator records, and data cross-checks with tax authorities.
Spokespeople argue that the issue extends beyond clarity alone. They say regulation must reflect the difference between living in a neighbourhood and using housing primarily as temporary accommodation for visitors.
As the new regional government settles in, it faces a delicate balancing act. Policymakers must weigh residents’ desire for simpler rules and supplemental income against the need to preserve affordable housing and community life.
With legal pressure mounting at the European level and growing public debate at home, Brussels’ approach to home-sharing could soon become a test case for how cities across the continent manage tourism without sacrificing livability.
