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Netherlands: Authorities in Amsterdam have announced that they are limiting homeowners to renting out their properties for a maximum of 15 nights per year in a bid to address housing availability concerns.
Amsterdam previously set a citywide limit of 30 nights per year for homeowners renting out their properties to tourists. Since 2014, the city has tightened regulations by gradually reducing the maximum rental period, introducing permit requirements, and establishing a registration system to manage short-term rentals more effectively.
City officials acknowledge that while these measures have reduced some of the issues linked to holiday rentals, problems persist in certain neighbourhoods. In a statement, local leaders said that nuisance levels have not decreased sufficiently in some areas, prompting the need for further restrictions.
To address these concerns, the city is set to introduce a 15-night cap on short-term rentals in two districts, a move aimed at reducing the number of properties available for tourist stays. Officials believe this will ease pressure on the housing market and improve neighbourhood livability by reducing disruptions caused by an influx of short-term visitors.
However, the new limit is likely to impact homeowners who rely on rental income, while also reducing accommodation options for tourists looking to stay in central areas.
In response to ongoing concerns, Amsterdam’s political leadership is proposing a ‘Holiday Rental Escalation Ladder’, a framework that allows authorities to adjust regulations based on the level of disruption caused by short-term rentals. The city plans to engage stakeholder organisations in discussions on how this system should be implemented.
Over the next few months, residents and other interested parties will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a public consultation period. Their input will be considered in the spring debate on the Housing Ordinance, shaping the final version of the policy.
A final decision on the new short-term rental restrictions is expected by December 2025, with the new 15-night limit set to take effect in April 2026.
