Nowhere to Live: How Tourism is Driving Students Out of Barcelona

Barcelona’s student housing crisis is reaching a breaking point. With rising rents and an increasing number of landlords favouring short-term tourist rentals, students—both local and international—are struggling to find affordable accommodation. Many are being forced to live in overcrowded flats, commute from far outside the city, or pay rents that far exceed their Barcelona student housing budgets.

“Finding a room felt impossible. Every time I contacted a landlord, it was either already taken or way too expensive,” said Luke Christey, an international student from the UK.

The Rising Cost of Student Housing

According to data from Idealista, the average rent for a room in Barcelona is now €500-€700 per month, a sharp increase from just a few years ago. In contrast, many students receive monthly budgets of €800-€1,000, leaving little room for other expenses like food, transportation, and leisure.

A major contributor to this crisis is the rise of Airbnb and short-term tourist rentals. Since Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities, landlords often prefer renting out their apartments to tourists for €100-€200 per night , rather than leasing them to students on long-term contracts.

“It’s frustrating because landlords know they can make more money from tourists, so students are left with very few options,” said Jordy Marks, an Erasmus + student “Many of us have to settle for overpriced, low-quality housing or move further away from the city center, which makes daily life much harder.”

Demonstrators march shouting slogans against the Formula 1 Barcelona Fan Festival in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Barcelona City Hall announced that it would not renew any tourist apartment licenses after they expire in 2028. 

The Airbnb Affect: What is the real impact?

The number of properties listed on Airbnb in Barcelona has tripled in the past decade , with thousands of apartments now being used exclusively for short-term rentals. This has led to:
✅ Fewer rental options for long-term tenants.
✅ Higher prices for available apartments.
✅ The displacement of local residents, including students.

Despite government efforts to regulate tourist rentals, illegal listings continue to be a problem. In 2023 alone, the city council fined hundreds of unlicensed Airbnb hosts , but experts say enforcement is still weak.

What are the solutions?

The Barcelona City Council has introduced stricter Airbnb regulations , including a ban on new short-term rental licenses. Some universities are also stepping in—offering more student accommodation and rental assistance programs.

However, students believe more action is needed . Proposed solutions include:
🔹 A cap on rent prices for student housing.
🔹 More affordable student residences.
🔹 Stronger enforcement against illegal Airbnb listings.

“If the city doesn’t fix this, Barcelona will become impossible for students. It’s already bad, and it’s only getting worse.” 

Conclusion: A city at crossroads

Barcelona is known for its vibrant student life, but if housing remains unaffordable, fewer students will be able to live and study here. The city must decide: will it prioritise tourism profits or the needs of its student population?