(Other) temporary populations and the rise of platform-mediated medium-term rentals

The short-term rental market is evolving as (other) temporary populations such as students and digital nomads increasingly seek medium-term rentals. This paper analyses the rise of medium-term rentals in Lisbon, Portugal, using data from Uniplaces, Spotahome, Idealista and AirDNA, and examines key state policies and legal frameworks through interviews with medium-term rental users and providers. It illustrates how medium-term rentals are becoming integral to Lisbon’s rental market, differing from short-term rentals in their spatial distribution and regulatory frameworks. The paper concludes that Lisbon’s medium-term rental market has emerged from a state-created grey area, shaped by both intended actions and the unintended consequences of statecraft.