Overview of the Initiative
The article, published by the regional news outlet Genova24.it, reports on a legislative proposal by the regional party AVS aimed at curbing the rapid growth of short‑term rentals in Liguria. The proposal is presented by Selena Candia, regional group leader of AVS, and Jan Casella, a regional councillor. It seeks to protect long‑term housing for residents while allowing tourism to continue under tighter municipal control.
Legislative Mechanism Proposed
The core of the bill gives municipalities the authority to designate zones where new short‑term rental authorisations may be limited or suspended. Two main tools are outlined: (1) requiring a municipal authorisation for any new short‑term rental, limited to a maximum initial term of five years and renewable; (2) allowing a temporary suspension of new authorisations in identified zones for up to 24 months, with a single possible renewal. Decisions must be based on indicators such as tourist‑to‑resident bed ratios, recent rent increases, the share of short‑term rentals in the residential stock, population changes and tourist presence relative to resident numbers.
Key Statistics on the Short‑Term Rental Market
- As of November 2025, Liguria hosted 39 099 furnished tourist apartments, providing roughly 160 000 tourist beds.
- The province of Savona accounts for the highest number of such units (12 165).
- In Savona, the most expensive residential rents reach €13.6 per square metre per month; a 50 m² dwelling averages €680 monthly.
- Regional residential rents rose by 4.9 % in 2025, while in the province of Genoa they increased by 11 % between October 2023 and October 2024.
- Approximately 44 000 dwellings in Genoa are vacant, representing 13.5 % of the total housing stock.
- Tourist rentals generated €606 million in direct revenue for Liguria in 2025, inducing an estimated €3 billion in related economic activity.
Implications for Sustainable Housing
The proposal targets the displacement of long‑term residents caused by the higher profitability of tourist rentals, which reduces the supply of affordable housing and drives up rents. By enabling local authorities to intervene where housing pressure is acute, the bill aims to maintain a balanced residential market, support social cohesion and prevent over‑tourism in sensitive urban and coastal areas. The approach aligns with broader European efforts to promote sustainable, inclusive housing policies that reconcile tourism benefits with resident needs.
Political Support and Procedural Status
The Ligurian Council of Local Autonomies voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal, recording 25 affirmative votes out of 26. The bill is currently classified as “Completed” in its processing state and has been made publicly available. AVS emphasises that the measure does not intend to restrict existing tourism activities but to introduce a regulatory brake that safeguards resident housing rights.