Lisbon, a city celebrated for its charming cobblestone streets, vibrantly painted buildings, and the delectable Pasteis de Nata, has emerged as a favored destination for travelers. However, with a record number of monthly overnight stays in Portugal being reported in August, there is a growing discontent among some Lisbon dwellers due to the adverse effects of surging tourism on their daily lives. This dissatisfaction culminated in September with protests concerning the housing market, followed by a petition signed by thousands of Lisbon's inhabitants calling for stricter regulations on vacation rentals in the city.

This petition, which garnered over 6,600 signatures from local supporters, was presented to the municipal assembly, advocating for a referendum on the current state of tourist accommodations within residential areas of Lisbon. The group spearheading this initiative, the Referendum Movement for Housing (MRH), aims to eliminate the nearly 20,000 short-term vacation rentals in Lisbon's residential areas, thereby creating more housing opportunities for local residents. According to Luísa Freitas, a representative of MRH based in Lisbon, "The transformation of residences into holiday accommodations has resulted in evictions and the displacement of residents from the city's neighborhoods." In addition to the local signatories, approximately 4,400 individuals who do not reside in Lisbon have also endorsed the referendum petition.

This petition was distributed across various community centers and local businesses in Lisbon over the past year. Freitas explained that many of these non-residents are former Lisbon inhabitants who were "compelled to relocate to the outskirts due to a significant increase in rent." She emphasized that "Their voices are as significant as those who have the right to vote, which is why we also collected their signatures to demonstrate not only the public's desire but also the extent of the impact of Lisbon's housing policies." The substantial number of signatures on the petition necessitates a debate within Lisbon's municipal assembly, although there is no certainty that a referendum will be held. Lisbon is not alone in reevaluating its vacation rental market; Barcelona declared earlier this summer that it would prohibit apartment rentals to tourists by 2028.

In February, the European Union also voted in favor of increased transparency regarding short-term rentals, recognizing that such properties account for approximately 25% of tourist accommodations within the EU. Airbnb, a travel accommodation provider so well-known that its name has become synonymous with vacation rentals, expressed in February that it "welcomed" the move towards greater transparency. Travel has contacted Airbnb for comment on the Lisbon referendum petition. Freitas clarified that a successful referendum would not eradicate tourist accommodations in Lisbon entirely but would prevent them from being located in "buildings designated for residential use." Future establishment of vacation rentals in residential buildings would also be prohibited. Freitas voiced her concerns about the broader impact of Lisbon's tourism industry on the city's architecture and urban landscape, suggesting that "businesses and services relied upon by residents and integral to the social fabric are increasingly being displaced in favor of souvenir shops, tour agencies, and stereotypical restaurants that primarily serve tourists." However, the immediate focus is on rebalancing the city's housing market. Freitas stated, "We firmly believe that a referendum is not only desirable but also achievable." The objective, as Freitas explained, is not to deter tourism but to foster a tourism industry in Lisbon that "distributes its benefits equitably across society and respects the local culture, life, and rights of residents."