“He only cares about the interests of a narrow lobby,” “This is absurd,” “They can invest somewhere else” – these were just some of the reactions after Finance Minister Andrzej Domański defended the government’s draft law on short-term rentals. The criticism came not only from the opposition but also from politicians within the ruling coalition, who accused the government of prioritizing investors’ interests over the rights of residents.
On Tuesday, the government approved a draft amendment regulating the short-term rental market. However, it removed a provision that would have allowed municipalities to establish zones where such activity would be prohibited. Funds and Regional Policy Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz objected to the decision, while the Ministry of Sport argued that such regulations were unnecessary.
On Wednesday, Niezalezna reported on the background of the legislation. Despite government promises to “end the chaos on the market,” the bill ultimately introduces only a registration requirement for accommodation units operating in residential buildings. It does not provide residents or local governments with effective tools to combat so-called “party hotels.”
The final version of the bill is widely seen as the result of successful lobbying. It also highlights tensions between the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy and the Ministry of Sport. Instead of strengthening tenants’ rights and allowing municipalities to establish “party hotel-free zones,” the government adopted a version favored by Airbnb Germany GmbH, the Berlin-based German branch of the global Airbnb platform.
Domański Adds Fuel to the Fire
Finance Minister Andrzej Domański defended the bill during an interview with TVN24.
“What matters to me is that we remember the interests of cities, but also the hundreds of thousands of Poles who use short-term rentals. These are not just drunk tourists […] We are in the holiday season, and hundreds of thousands of Poles use this type of accommodation because it allows them to pay less for overnight stays,” he said.
He added:
“Let’s also remember that there are thousands of Poles who invested their savings in apartments, among other reasons to rent them out on a short-term basis. We have to strike a balance between the interests of cities such as my hometown of Kraków, the Tri-City area, or parts of Warsaw, and the broader public interest. I hope we will reach such a solution.”
Domański also argued that “local governments have received more tools to supervise this market under the bill. Secondly […] this was a project prepared by the Ministry of Sport, and Minister Jakub Rutnicki was responsible for it.”
Coalition Partners Turn Against Domański
Domański’s remarks were immediately challenged by members of the ruling coalition as well as opposition politicians.
Rafał Komarewicz of Polska 2050 wrote on X:
“Several million Poles live in apartment blocks. Tens of thousands struggle with the nightmare created by Airbnb apartments next door – noise, parties, and damage to common areas that residents have to pay for. A few thousand people invest in property. Minister Domański openly says he only cares about the interests of a narrow lobby. It was the same with the second tax threshold, which hurts working people. And now it’s the same with Airbnb apartments in residential buildings. That’s why I won’t vote for this empty shell of a bill, which looks as if lobbyists delivered it directly to you.”
Adrian Zandberg of Razem commented:
“Wondering why Tusk’s government is turning against the residents of Kraków, Warsaw, and the Tri-City? Why are they defending party flats for drunk British tourists that make life miserable for neighbors? Why are we witnessing this circus while implementing EU law? The finance minister has just answered those questions.”
Housing activist Jan Śpiewak, co-founder of the Miasto Jest Nasze Association, wrote bluntly:
“Sorry, folks – you’ll be eating rubble because the elites invested in concrete.”
Marcelina Zawisza of Razem also criticized the finance minister:
“So the fact that the minister’s wealthy friends – including, presumably, MPs – invested money in apartments means he won’t support regulations against people screaming until dawn after getting drunk, making normal residents’ lives unbearable. It’s not just about children and the elderly, but also people dragging themselves to work after seven straight nights of bachelor or bachelorette parties or drunk foreign tourists singing karaoke until five in the morning. Minister, your friends can sell those apartments or rent them out long-term. There are plenty of solutions.”
Anna Maria Żukowska also rejected Domański’s arguments.
“Then they can invest somewhere else. The rights of people investing in concrete cannot be more important than the rights of people who use apartments for their intended purpose – living in them. Shouting through the night, mess, loud parties, theft – this is the price ordinary people pay for these ‘investments,’ Minister Domański. Maybe you want to stand with thousands of investors. I choose to stand with millions of residents. My parliamentary group will not support this bill in its current form. You knocked all its teeth out at the last minute. Either you accept our amendments, or the minister should start looking for money to pay EU fines. But I still believe that can be avoided.”
Piotr Mosak, a Razem activist from Katowice, added:
“The finance minister said it outright. In his view, housing in Poland is primarily an investment vehicle. Want to live peacefully? Want your apartment building free from Airbnb tourists? Hoping housing prices per square meter will fall because you can’t afford a mortgage? Forget it. To this government, you’re the loser. Your interests don’t matter. What’s more important is making sure colleagues in parliament – like Robert Kropiwnicki and his eleven apartments – don’t lose money on their investments.”
Independent MP Paulina Matysiak also criticized the government’s decision on X:
“Why was the provision that would have allowed local governments to curb this troublesome practice removed from the short-term rental bill? That is exactly what I asked the Minister of Sport and Tourism in parliament today. Who does Jakub Rutnicki prefer to listen to? Large foreign businesses making money from short-term rentals, or Polish residents forced to live next to pseudo-hotels filled with tourists partying every night? Unfortunately, the answer is obvious. Hiding behind concern for entrepreneurs and holidaymakers looking for cheaper accommodation is both embarrassing and disrespectful toward people who simply want peace and quiet in their own neighborhoods and apartment buildings.”