https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Cities across Europe will gain more leeway to curb short-term rentals such as Airbnb under plans to bring down housing costs in tourism hotspots that the European Union is to unveil Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.com/20260905/eu-to-help-cities-clamp-down-on-tourist-rentals Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:38:52 +0200 eu-to-help-cities-clamp-down-on-tourist-rentals If you’re planning on buying a property in Spain to rent out to tourists on platforms such as Airbnb, you need to think very carefully about where the property is located as many places have strict restrictions. https://www.thelocal.com/20260803/a-quick-guide-to-restrictions-on-airbnb-in-spains-main-cities-and-regions Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:14:28 +0200 a-quick-guide-to-restrictions-on-airbnb-in-spains-main-cities-and-regions Experts warn that Switzerland will continue to struggle with an inadequate supply of housing to meet the demands of an expanding population. These are the reasons why this is so. https://www.thelocal.com/20250422/why-is-switzerland-not-building-enough-housing-for-its-growing-population Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:17:59 +0200 why-is-switzerland-not-building-enough-housing-for-its-growing-population A homeowners' association can't prevent apartment owners from installing an air conditioning unit, Germany's court of justice ruled on Wednesday, in a case seen as strengthening homeowners' right to cool their homes. https://www.thelocal.com/20260717/court-affirms-german-homeowners-right-to-install-air-conditioning Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:42:28 +0200 court-affirms-german-homeowners-right-to-install-air-conditioning The outcome of the legal battle between the French national law and the EU law known as 'Brussels IV' could have a big impact on property-owners in France. https://www.thelocal.com/20240923/explained-what-is-brussels-iv-and-how-could-it-affect-your-french-property Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:20:36 +0200 explained-what-is-brussels-iv-and-how-could-it-affect-your-french-property If you've ever fancied owning your own island, one is now on the market - a private island off the coast of Brittany is for sale for €2.5 million. https://www.thelocal.com/20260608/private-island-for-sale-off-coast-of-france Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:16:17 +0200 private-island-for-sale-off-coast-of-france Summer houses in Denmark are a hugely popular destination for those who want to vacation without going abroad. Can foreign nationals buy them in the same way as permanent homes? https://www.thelocal.com/20240212/can-foreigners-buy-a-summer-house-in-denmark Mon, 12 Feb 2024 17:10:17 +0100 can-foreigners-buy-a-summer-house-in-denmark Many people in Sweden have a summer house or 'sommarstuga' to escape to during their long holidays. Getting one of your own can be easier than you think – and can be surprisingly affordable, despite the increased cost of living. https://www.thelocal.com/20190625/guide-how-to-buy-the-swedish-summer-house-of-your-dreams-sommarstuga Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:51:38 +0200 guide-how-to-buy-the-swedish-summer-house-of-your-dreams-sommarstuga Ever felt like spending your summers lounging around on your own island? Or have you always wanted to build a James Bond-style supervillain fort in the middle of the Stockholm archipelago? https://www.thelocal.com/20240828/how-to-buy-your-own-swedish-island Wed, 28 Aug 2024 11:25:07 +0200 how-to-buy-your-own-swedish-island Local officials on a French island are offering incentives of up to €10,000 to second-home owners who are willing to rent out their properties on a long-term lease, in order to try and overcome the housing shortage for locals. https://www.thelocal.com/20260129/french-island-offers-up-to-e10000-to-second-home-owners-who-rent-out-their-property Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:55:44 +0100 french-island-offers-up-to-e10000-to-second-home-owners-who-rent-out-their-property Spain's capital has emerged as a coveted global luxury housing destination as Latin American and US investors fuel a real estate boom, seduced by competitive prices and high living standards. https://www.thelocal.com/20260123/oasis-of-stability-madrid-becomes-luxury-housing-haven-for-foreigners Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:32:09 +0100 oasis-of-stability-madrid-becomes-luxury-housing-haven-for-foreigners Many foreigners who move to Spain are surprised by just how freezing Spanish winters can be, but they're equally shocked by how sometimes it's colder inside their homes than outdoors. https://www.thelocal.com/20211104/why-are-spanish-homes-so-cold Thu, 04 Nov 2021 09:42:59 +0100 why-are-spanish-homes-so-cold International buyers are involved in 62 percent of purchases of luxury properties in Spain, according to a recent report by real estate agency Lucas Fox. https://www.thelocal.com/20251201/foreigners-buy-over-60-of-luxury-homes-in-spain Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:36:25 +0100 foreigners-buy-over-60-of-luxury-homes-in-spain Real estate prices are on the rise again, but some financial experts suggest that now is a good time to buy a home in Germany. So how much do you need to earn to purchase a house or apartment here? https://www.thelocal.com/20250819/how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-home-in-germany Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:00:34 +0200 how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-home-in-germany Whether you plan to let your whole home or just a single room, make sure you’re aware of the rules around declaring the income to the German tax man. https://www.thelocal.com/20250602/what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:54:34 +0200 what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home Many property owners in France may be curious about earning some extra cash renting out their home - especially on platforms such as Airbnb - but it's important not to fall foul of local rules on registration and taxes. https://www.thelocal.com/20251009/what-you-need-to-know-about-legally-renting-out-a-french-second-home Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:35:30 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-legally-renting-out-a-french-second-home Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabián Picardo has warned that The Rock's new post-Brexit status will make it "a very attractive place" for Britons wanting to skirt Schengen's 90-day rule, adding that an influx of residents could push property prices up. https://www.thelocal.com/20250912/gibraltar-head-fears-influx-of-brits-moving-to-the-rock-to-avoid-90-day-rule Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:49:11 +0200 gibraltar-head-fears-influx-of-brits-moving-to-the-rock-to-avoid-90-day-rule Thinking of purchasing your dream home in Germany? We look at how much you might have to earn to secure a high-end property - and where you can find a better deal. https://www.thelocal.com/20240807/how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-in-germany-to-buy-a-million-euro-home Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:35:31 +0200 how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-in-germany-to-buy-a-million-euro-home A town in Brittany has passed a local decree banning the construction of second homes amid an increasing housing shortage for local people. https://www.thelocal.com/20250901/brittany-town-bans-second-homes-amid-housing-shortage Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:11:36 +0200 brittany-town-bans-second-homes-amid-housing-shortage Spain's National High court has ruled against the Spanish government's MO of not letting people deduct expenses when declaring rental income if they own property in Spain, but don't reside in the EU. This sets a precedent for the planned 100 percent property tax. https://www.thelocal.com/20250822/spains-100-property-tax-for-foreigners-weakened-by-new-court-ruling Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:00:31 +0200 spains-100-property-tax-for-foreigners-weakened-by-new-court-ruling