The objectives of this study are to

1. Identify different types of methods used by EU countries to differentiate between ‘peers’ providing short-term accommodation services occasionally and in a private capacity and professional services providers. Assess the practical functioning as well as the impact of these different methods on service providers, national authorities and platforms.
2. Identify different types/categories of registration schemes imposed on providers of short-term accommodation rental services. Assess the practical functioning as well as the impact of these registration schemes on service providers, national authorities and platforms.

If you are interested in this call you can access the tender documents on the Commission-wide eTendering platform.

The deadline for the receipt of tenders is 24 April 2020 at 16.00 (CEST).

The documents will always be visible and downloadable but if you ‘register’ to the call by adding your email address and a password, you will be able to ask questions and be automatically informed about any changes that may be published (such as additional documents or answers to questions).

Background information

The collaborative economy refers to business models where activities are facilitated by collaborative platforms that create an open marketplace for the temporary usage of goods or services often provided by private individuals. The collaborative economy involves three categories of actors:

• service providers who share assets, resources, time and/or skills — these can be private individuals offering services on an occasional basis ('peers') or service providers acting in their professional capacity ('professional services providers')
• users of these
• intermediaries that connect — via an online platform — providers with users and that facilitate transactions between them ('collaborative platforms')

The collaborative economy covers a great variety of sectors and is rapidly emerging across Europe. Many people in the EU have already used, or are aware of collaborative economy services, which range from sharing houses and car journeys, to domestic services.

The focus of this contract will be on collaborative short-term accommodation services. The rise of online platforms bringing together accommodation providers and travellers has led to a rapid growth of these services. According to a Flash Eurobarometer survey undertaken in 2018, around 13% of EU citizens have used the short-term rental of guest rooms and private properties through online platforms. Collaborative short-term accommodation rental services have created many new opportunities for consumers, for citizens sharing their properties, for professional traders and for local economies. It has also given rise to concerns, including from some local communities witnessing a strong demand and high concentration of tourism, including collaborative short-term accommodation offers. Enabling citizens and entrepreneurs to make use of the opportunities offered, while addressing justified concerns in an appropriate manner is likely to promote the sustainable and balanced long-term growth of collaborative short-term accommodation rental services in the EU.

More information

Contract notice