The European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), established in 2013, is the unified voice representing the short-term rental sector across Europe. It primarily consists of national associations that represent property owners, property managers, online short-term rental platforms, and companies offering ancillary services such as software tools, cleaning, linen provision, and guest-facing technologies. EHHA plays a vital role in advocating for the sustainable growth and fair regulation of the short-term rental market, which accounts for about one quarter of all tourist accommodation in the European Union. The association’s mission is to engage policymakers in support of harmonized, proportionate, clear, and justified rules that balance industry interests with regulatory transparency and local oversight. EHHA actively participates in EU policy discussions on significant legislative files like the Package Travel Directive, Digital Single Market reforms, consumer rights under GDPR, and tourism quality standards. Their advocacy aims at removing unnecessary regulatory barriers to ensure a level playing field for digital rental platforms while promoting the economic benefits of short-term rentals distributed beyond city centers into wider European regions. The association also confronts restrictive local rules on vacation rentals, exemplified by recent EU complaints concerning disproportionate regulations in Catalonia. EHHA’s members, including prominent platforms like HomeAway (Vrbo), collaborate closely on lobbying strategies, contributing to transparent and structured advocacy at EU institutions since its registration with the EU Transparency Register in 2013. This work supports the sector’s recovery and growth amid evolving policy and market conditions. EHHA is headquartered in London, UK, with operational presence in Brussels to maintain direct engagement with EU bodies.
