Airbnb in Luxembourg: isolated incidents and cautious oversight

The response to parliamentary enquiry No. 2150 of 28 April 2025 shows that only eight problems related to the use of the Airbnb platform have been reported in Luxembourg between 2020 and 2024. The Ministries of the Interior, Consumer Protection and Economy provided a detailed picture of what was happening.

Six of these cases were reported to the Union of Consumers of Luxembourg (ULC). Among them, two incidents involved attempted fraud or phishing, two involved co-ownership conflicts. Another case involved a disagreement between a tenant and a landlord, and another involved complaints from neighbours.

The European Consumer Centre (CEC) recorded two incidents in 2024. In one case, the customer did not get access to the booked accommodation and in the other case, the photos and location information posted on the platform were untrue.

Police in Luxembourg do not keep separate statistics on Airbnb-related complaints. Fraud complaints are handled under the general category of phishing, using fake cards or renting non-existent accommodation.

In case of problems, consumers are advised to contact the platform itself in the first instance. If there is no response or no action is taken, citizens can lodge a formal complaint with the Luxembourg Competition Authority via the Guichet.lu portal.

For the time being, the police are limited to regular campaigns against internet fraud and phishing. There are no special measures aimed specifically at regulating short-term rentals via online platforms. However, co-operation between consumer protection authorities and government agencies is ongoing in order to promptly strengthen controls if necessary.

Although Airbnb is popular in Luxembourg, the situation remains stable. Authorities emphasise the importance of vigilance and compliance with legal procedures. In an additional step towards regulation, a new regulation effective from 2023: renting accommodation through the platform for more than three months is now considered a commercial activity and requires a licence. This allows for greater transparency and a level playing field for all market participants.