Low Turnout Prompts Ban on Airbnb in Budapest’s VI District
Residents of Budapest’s District VI have voted in favor of a ban on homestays, with around 54% supporting the measure in a recent referendum. The local council announced that out of 6,083 votes cast, 3,265 were in favor of the ban, while 2,818 were against it. Despite opposition claiming that the ban would not impact housing prices, the mayor has declared the result valid.
The ban on short-term homestays will go into effect on January 1, 2026, resulting in a loss of €2 million annually for the district budget and a decrease in revenue for local hospitality outlets. In a related development, Hungarian ruling parties are also considering a ban on Airbnb-type apartments to drive tourists to hotels, a move that has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Residents who did not express an opinion or had percentages too close to determine the true intentions of the district are now facing the implementation of the homestay ban. With shifting trends in real estate prices and population declines in Budapest, the decision to ban homestays is likely to have a significant impact on the city’s housing market and tourism industry. It remains to be seen how this decision will affect both residents and tourists in the future.