Budapest’s 6th District to Ban Rentals, Evolve Snaps Up 1,000 Former Vacasa Homes, and Airbnb-Friendly Apartments Cross 1,300 Buildings
Summary
The 6th District of Budapest will ban short-term rentals starting in 2026, impacting hosts in that area. Meanwhile, Evolve acquired 1,000 former Vacasa homes, and Airbnb-Friendly Apartments are expanding. Hosts should reassess their portfolios in Budapest and consider the implications of different management models.
Key Insights
- •Budapest’s 6th District will ban short-term rentals (STRs) starting January 1, 2026.
- •Evolve has acquired the portfolio of Guestworks, Vacasa’s former low-touch, tech-enabled offering, with around 1,000 homes now transitioning to Evolve’s platform.
- •Airbnb accounts for 40% of all guest nights in Budapest.
Action Items
- ✓Managers with units in EU heritage districts should monitor this closely, historic cores across Europe (e.g., Lisbon, Amsterdam, Prague) are under similar pressure.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓For operators in Budapest's 6th District, this is a clear nudge to start reassessing their portfolios. That might mean shifting toward mid-term rentals, scouting less-restricted neighborhoods, or preparing exit strategies.Effort: mediumImpact: high
Tools & Resources
- →Airbnb-Friendly Apartments program: Airbnb just marked three years of its Airbnb-Friendly Apartments program.
- →Evolve: Evolve offers a hybrid model combining centralized service, automation, and a flat 10% fee.
Common Mistakes
- ⚠Critics say the ban penalizes law-abiding hosts while ignoring illegal operators and structural issues in the rental market.
More from Regulations & Compliance
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Curated by Learn STR by GoStudioM