A majority of residents who took part in a local vote in Budapest’s District 1 support completely banning short-term rentals such as Airbnb, although the result does not automatically introduce a ban.
Majority back a complete ban
A total of 4,503 residents took part in an online consultation on the future of short-term accommodation in District 1, according to Mayor László Böröcz.
Of those who voted, 58.6% supported a complete ban on short-term property rentals, while 41.4% said a full ban was unnecessary.
Among those opposing a complete ban, 18% supported allowing short-term rentals subject to local conditions, while 23.4% wanted them to continue without restrictions. According to budavar.hu, the consultation was open to the district’s 21,450 eligible permanent residents, giving it a 21% participation rate.
The highest level of support for a ban was recorded in the Buda Castle area, where 66% of participants backed a complete prohibition.
No automatic Airbnb ban yet
The result does not mean that short-term rentals will immediately be banned in District 1. The local government will use residents’ views alongside an impact assessment to prepare a regulatory proposal. The concept will be published for public consultation before a formal regulation is drafted.
According to the municipality’s plans, the draft regulation could reach the relevant committees and the district council in November. Mayor Böröcz said the aim was to ensure that Buda Castle remains a liveable and peaceful home for local residents in the long term, while making local rules transparent and enforceable.
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Why is the district considering restrictions?
The consultation comes as a nationwide moratorium on registering new accommodation establishments is due to expire at the end of this year under the current legal framework. District 1 wants to establish its position before the moratorium ends, as the number of new applications for short-term accommodation could increase sharply afterwards.
The municipality stressed that short-term rentals affect more than property owners and tourism. They can also have an impact on residents’ everyday lives and the peace of apartment buildings. The issue is particularly significant in and around Buda Castle, which is both a residential area and one of Budapest’s major tourist destinations.
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Other Budapest districts are also tightening rules
District 1 is not the only part of Budapest considering restrictions on short-term accommodation. District 6 (Terézváros) was the first Budapest district to introduce a complete ban on Airbnb-style short-term rentals following a local referendum.
In District 8 (Józsefváros), the municipal council approved a regulatory concept for short-term accommodation in June, with a decision on the detailed rules expected this month.
Meanwhile, District 13 has also been reviewing its rules. Public consultation on its draft regulation ended on 2 October, although the results have not yet been announced.
The District 13 municipality estimates that around 1,100–1,200 flats currently operate as short-term private accommodation there. It has said it wants to avoid a situation in which restrictions introduced elsewhere in central Budapest lead to a significant increase in the number of short-term rentals in the district.
