Airbnb regulations in Strasbourg: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025

In Strasbourg, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Strasbourg maintains the 120-day annual limit for primary residences. The city has not yet reduced this cap but is strengthening inspections, particularly in the Grande Île (UNESCO-listed historic center). The Eurométropole de Strasbourg nevertheless launched a public consultation in 2025 on the possibility of reducing the threshold to 90 days, with conclusions expected by mid-2026. The temporary maintenance of 120 days is explained by the weight of business tourism linked to European institutions, which generates steady demand for short-term accommodation outside the traditional tourist season.

The Eurométropole de Strasbourg has implemented a specific verification protocol with platforms that accounts for the seasonality linked to European institutions. The registration number is verified in real time at publication, and platforms submit a monthly report during the Christmas Market period (November-January) to detect undeclared rentals that proliferate during this event attracting over 2 million visitors.

In Strasbourg, the change-of-use authorization is conditional on compliance with the 80% residential rule per building, verified by the condominium manager and the Eurométropole Housing Service. Applications for properties within the UNESCO-listed Grande Île perimeter require the binding opinion of the Architect of Buildings of France, and any change of facade or use is subject to the requirements of the Safeguard and Enhancement Plan (PSMV). Compensation: 1:1 to 1.5:1 depending on zone.

Strasbourg applies a zone-modulated compensation ratio: 1:1 (one square meter for one square meter) in less pressured areas, up to 1.5:1 in the most tourist-heavy zones such as the Grande Île and La Petite France. This progressive system encourages the development of tourist accommodations outside the historic center. Compensation must be carried out in the same geographic area or an adjacent one, and the compensating property must meet decency and energy performance criteria set by the Eurométropole. Applications are processed by the Housing and Planning Service, with an average processing time of three to four months depending on project complexity.

80% residential rule per building

Strasbourg has established an original rule: each building must retain at least 80% of its floor space for residential use. This effectively limits the number of tourist accommodations per building and prevents the complete conversion of buildings into tourist lodging, preserving mixed-use occupancy. This rule is verified with each change-of-use application, and condominium managers must provide a statement of the building's usage breakdown. In La Petite France and rue des Tanneurs, some buildings have already reached the maximum 20% threshold for tourist use, blocking any new authorization.

The Eurométropole de Strasbourg has adopted a seasonal enforcement system, with intensified inspections from September to January, coinciding with European parliamentary sessions and the Christmas Market. The six sworn agents conduct daily digital patrols on platforms, and property owners in violation receive an official report accompanied by a cease-and-desist order within 15 days.

The maximum fine is €50,000 in Strasbourg. The city conducts regular inspections, particularly during the Christmas Market period (November-December) and European Parliament sessions, which are times of high tourist demand. The Eurométropole recruited six agents dedicated to tourist accommodation enforcement in 2025, working in coordination with the Regional Directorate of the Economy (DREETS) and tax services. Sanction procedures are referred to the Strasbourg judicial court, which issued average fines of €15,000 to €25,000 for violations found in the Grande Île in 2024.