British tourists visiting a popular European destination have been issued a warning as the stringent new laws targeting Airbnb short-term holiday lets were recently introduced in Spain.

The popular country visited by millions of Britons every year rolled out new rules last week requiring all short-term holiday lets and tourist accommodations to obtain a mandatory registration code in order to operate lawfully. The move aims to tighten oversight and ensure greater transparency across the country’s booming rental sector. However, according to the experts, Italy is will be the next country to target Airbnb. Kundan Bhaduri, Entrepreneur at property developer The Kushman Group, said Italy is “clearly next” to target the short-term rental stays.

He explained: “Of course, this is not really about national security. It is really political survival in countries where locals are priced out of the very postcodes they were born in.

“In Florence, over 30% of flats are listed on Airbnb. In Rome, a staggering 35 million tourists arrived last year occupying a huge swathe of the housing stock.

“The backlash is brewing and it is property owners that are in the stockpot. Spain’s move to demand a national registry for short-term lets is just the opening salvo.

“Italy is clearly next. France, Portugal and even the balmy Balearics have all flirted with similar measures.

“The EU smells votes in attacking ‘unregulated’ holiday lets, and Airbnb hosts like me now find ourselves painted as moustache-twirling villains standing between honest citizens and affordable housing.

“Should you dump your Airbnb shares? Not necessarily yet. The brand remains powerful, and tourist demand is resilient. But expect more countries to follow Spain and Italy down this path.”

Pete Mugleston, Mortgage Advisor & Managing Director at onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk, agreed, adding: “Spain’s move could signal that more countries are looking to crack down on Airbnb and rental properties across Europe. While it’s unlikely Italy will introduce legislation immediately, those with property in the country or who are looking to buy should be wary of potential future changes.

“Politics is volatile across the continent, and a smart politician could look to tap into the discontent around Airbnb for political gain. If more countries follow Spain’s lead, the high point of Airbnb could already be firmly in the past.”