Experience

City of Antwerp prepares crackdown on Airbnb growth amid complaints in Sint-Andries

Posted by Timothy on

The City of Antwerp is taking steps to limit the expansion of Airbnb properties in the city, as local authorities respond to increasing complaints from residents and growing concerns about the impact on housing availability. 

Alderman for Urban Development Patrick Janssens (Vooruit) announced in Gazet van Antwerpen late June 2025 that he is working on a new policy framework to manage the proliferation of short-term rentals, which are blamed for disturbing the quality of life in several neighbourhoods.

Three applications already rejected

The City has already rejected three recent applications to convert residential properties into tourist accommodations. One proposed converting four flats into short-stay apartments in the Eilandje area, but this conflicted with local planning rules that only allow hotel use in the area. Another application aimed to convert a house on the Vrijdagmarkt. A third involved a proposal to build ten one-bedroom tourist apartments on Quellinstraat near Antwerp-Central Railway Station, which officials said would overwhelm the area.

According to Janssens, certain neighbourhoods are under significant pressure due to the growing presence of short-term rentals. These properties, often acquired by companies, reduce the housing stock for permanent residents and contribute to a range of social issues. The city intends to study the situation in detail and develop clear rules to control further expansion.

Sint-Andries residents voice growing frustration

The issue is particularly acute in the Sint-Andries neighbourhood, where a recent survey found that six out of ten residents report nuisance caused by Airbnb guests, Gazet van Antwerp reports. Complaints include noise at night, increasing litter—such as laughing gas bottles—and general disruption to everyday life. Residents say the growing number of key safes visible on the streets has come to symbolise the neighbourhood’s transformation.

Locals are especially concerned about companies buying entire properties and turning them into tourist accommodation, forcing out existing tenants. In one case on Nationalestraat, a whole apartment block was reportedly cleared of residents and converted into Airbnbs. The area has historically been known as the ‘parish of misery’, and residents say they now feel abandoned once again.

Survey highlights impact on community

Hotel management student Warre Konings conducted a survey in Sint-Andries as part of his bachelor’s thesis. He found that 92 percent of respondents knew of an Airbnb property near their home, and 60 percent said these rentals had a negative impact on the quality of life. The same number reported experiencing nuisance, citing noise, a loss of community feeling, and a build-up of rubbish.

The study also revealed that one in ten residents had been approached by companies looking to purchase their homes for conversion into Airbnbs. Konings noted that many operators appear to be evading regulations, staying under the radar and offering little transparency.

Housing supply under threat

Residents and local officials agree that the rise of short-term rentals is worsening the housing crisis. As more properties are taken off the market for permanent residents, the supply shrinks and prices increase. Tourist rentals are seen as a lucrative option for owners, but the social costs—particularly in districts like Sint-Andries—are becoming difficult to ignore.

The city will begin a comprehensive housing study in September and is considering various regulatory tools, including a thematic zoning plan specifically for tourist accommodations or updates to the building code. 

The aim is to ensure that growth in short-term rentals does not come at the expense of liveability and housing access for residents.

Antwerp’s policymakers are also reviewing how other cities, both in Belgium and abroad, have tackled the issue. A more robust legal framework will take time to develop, but the direction is clear: unregulated Airbnb expansion in Antwerp’s residential neighbourhoods is no longer sustainable.

On tourism