Tourism: Key packing containers: How Europe’s cities cope with the phenomenon | EUROtoday

In some locations they’re thought-about a sensible helper, in different areas they’re a thorn within the aspect of locals – and typically even social and help companies depend on them: key packing containers, usually put in in public areas or straight in entrance of the vacation condo, have grow to be notably standard in tourism in recent times.

The small packing containers are sometimes utilized by landlords to simply hand over keys, for instance on platforms like Airbnb or reserving. They allow contactless check-in for visitors and save suppliers further effort. The customer can simply open the field with a numerical code and take away the important thing.

So easy, so good. But in some components Europe’s There has been dissatisfaction with the packing containers for months. They are supposed to impair the cityscape and easily be an emblem of mass tourism. There are even bans. But not all vacationer hotspots cope with the phenomenon in the identical approach. A take a look at European cities:

Spain: Keyboxes partly smeared with feces

As controversy over mass tourism grows, the packing containers are being ticked Spain more and more within the highlight. The so-called Autonomous Community of Valencia was the primary – and up to now solely – area to expressly ban keyboxes for vacation flats in public areas in the summertime of 2024. Since then, landlords have solely been allowed to obtain their visitors there in particular person or use a commissioned reception service.

In different components of the favored vacation vacation spot, the place there may be at the moment no comparable ban, discontent is more and more spilling out onto the streets. In Seville, key packing containers had been intentionally smeared, typically with feces. In Madrid they’re usually rendered unusable with glue.

On Mallorca in June, shortly after a brand new main demonstration in opposition to mass tourism, activists destroyed key packing containers and digital code locks with hammers – and posted movies of the motion on social media. Such protests happen many times in view of the tense housing state of affairs. “While we young people cannot afford to live independently, there are others who enrich themselves from our misery,” wrote the Arran protest motion on Instagram.

Scandinavia: Welcome helper

In Copenhagen and plenty of different Scandinavian cities, key packing containers have lengthy been the norm fairly than the exception. However, particularly in winter within the cool north of Europe, it may well occur that there’s nonetheless preliminary contact with the owner – for instance if the numerical code can’t be set within the chilly or the field can’t be opened in every other approach.

In basic, the packing containers are considered very positively in Northern Europe, even when it’s not a reasonably sight to see dozens of packing containers hanging aspect by aspect on some condo blocks. But: For comfort-conscious Scandinavians, this sort of check-in to the lodging is probably the most relaxed methodology – so long as the numerical code would not work.

Ireland and Great Britain: short-term leases in sight

In Dublin It is forbidden to connect the packing containers to bicycle stands or lamp posts, because the Dublin metropolis administration introduced on the request of the German Press Agency. “All key boxes that are reported to us or found on the street during regular maintenance work will be removed and destroyed.” The use of the packing containers is in fact nonetheless permitted on non-public property.

Unlike Dublin, there isn’t a such ban in London. Short-term leases are nonetheless being focused: According to metropolis rules, landlords aren’t allowed to lease out their trip properties for greater than 90 nights per 12 months.

Italy: Keyboxes mainly ineffective

In Italy too, key packing containers have grow to be an emblem of the increase in short-term leases in cities standard with vacationers. They are a thorn within the aspect of many locals: It is repeatedly criticized that the packing containers close to condo doorways or on home facades detract from the picture of cities corresponding to Florence, Venice, Rome and Naples.

This is without doubt one of the the reason why the nation is taking motion in opposition to the keyboxes. Florence in Tuscany was the primary main Italian metropolis to ban boxing in the beginning of final 12 months. Milan adopted go well with and introduced the ban for this January. After that, as much as 400 euros will likely be due if keyboxes proceed to hold round.

There is at the moment no formal ban on the packing containers all through Italy. However, it’s a nationwide requirement that for short-term leases there should be a face-to-face assembly between the condo proprietor and the vacationer for security causes. This regulation from the Ministry of the Interior in Rome doesn’t ban the important thing packing containers, nevertheless it primarily makes them ineffective.

Austria: Important for social companies

In Austria, the image is totally different: In Vienna, the town authorities at the moment has no plans to ban key packing containers. Because the safes aren’t solely utilized by vacationers. They are vital for assist and social companies, which may get into the properties of their previous and sick shoppers, in line with the accountable metropolis authority. The packing containers additionally make entry simpler in emergencies.

Nevertheless, Vienna is taking motion in opposition to short-term condo leases. Significantly stricter rules have been in pressure since summer time 2024. City workers try to trace down unlawful landlords – primarily on the Internet. But homes with a noticeable variety of key packing containers are additionally scrutinized, says a spokeswoman.

France: Warning sticker and positive

Similar to Dublin, Paris additionally imposed a ban on key packing containers in the beginning of 2025, supplied they’re put in in public areas corresponding to held on a public bicycle rack. First, a warning sticker is connected to the field – if the owner doesn’t take away it, the town administration will achieve this. The positive quantities to as much as 1,500 euros.

In order to restrict mass tourism and in view of the tense housing market within the French capital, Paris additionally shortened the interval throughout which a non-public condo may be rented out for vacationers in the beginning of the 12 months. Instead of the earlier 120 days per 12 months, that is now solely 90 days per 12 months, just like London.

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