In a fierce battle against overtourism, Czech mayors are speaking out about the devastating effects of short-term rentals on their communities. From Prague’s historic center to the ski resort of Špindlerův Mlýn, local leaders are grappling with the dark side of tourism that threatens the very fabric of their towns.
Terezie Radoměřská, mayor of Prague 1, describes the situation as “desperate and terrible.” The impacts are far-reaching: skyrocketing property prices, the hollowing out of city centers, and mounting waste management issues. Homeowner association meetings have become nightmarish in buildings with short-term rentals.
The lack of legal tools to combat this issue is a major frustration. Radoměřská admits they’re trying to restrict short-term rentals to the maximum extent possible, but current laws often tie their hands. They’re pinning their hopes on upcoming legislation, though she acknowledges it still needs fine-tuning.
In Špindlerův Mlýn, a small mountain town with just 1,000 permanent residents, Mayor Martin Jandura faces similar challenges. He estimates that the city loses up to 50 million Czech crowns annually due to their inability to collect proper fees from short-term rentals. With 70 kilometers of roads and 23 bridges to maintain, this loss is keenly felt.
Both mayors look forward to new legislation that could help address these issues. A proposed law would create an “eTourist” portal where each host must obtain a registration number to list properties for short-term rental. The European Union has set May 20, 2026, as the deadline for implementing stricter rules on short-term tourist rentals.