Airbnb-free zones will return, with local councils and neighbors deciding

Neighbors would not need to approve a property before its owner begins renting it by the night, but they could later vote to stop the activity. That is the central change in amendments backed by Poland’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism.

If a majority at a general meeting supports a ban, owners in the affected property would have six months to end their short-term rental business. The ministry says the measure would give permanent residents more control over decisions directly affecting where they live.

Housing communities, cooperatives, their boards and supervisory councils, as well as residents of the building or a neighboring property, could also ask the municipality to inspect a short-term rental. The checks would cover compliance with regulations, including public safety and order. The ministry specifically cites shouting, noise, disruptions to nighttime rest and other behavior that disturbs residents or causes public offense.

“

Thanks to this, permanent residents of the buildings concerned will be able to regain a sense of control over matters directly related to their place of residence.

Communities and cooperatives could further ask for a property to be removed from the register of apartments, houses and rooms rented by the day. The draft would prohibit short-term rentals without registration and impose fines of up to 50,000 zlotys. The same penalty could apply to rental platforms that list an unregistered property.

The proposal also restores the option for municipalities to create Airbnb- and Booking-free zones by council resolution. The bill has been sent to the Sejm. While the amendment is generally scheduled to take effect 14 days after publication, the bans by housing communities, cooperatives and municipalities would become possible from Jan. 1, 2028.

“

Expanding inspections at the property to include safety and public-order issues is intended to discipline both people who use short-term rentals and entities that make properties available for short-term rental.