{"id":2783,"date":"2026-08-20T14:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/defis-avocats.com\/?p=2783"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:31:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:31:04","slug":"eviction-of-squatters-what-the-18-august-2026-law-changes-for-homes-airbnb-properties-and-commercial-premises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/defis-avocats.com\/en\/eviction-of-squatters-what-the-18-august-2026-law-changes-for-homes-airbnb-properties-and-commercial-premises\/","title":{"rendered":"Eviction of Squatters: What the 18 August 2026 Law Changes for Homes, Airbnb Properties and Commercial Premises"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n

France\u2019s fight against unlawful occupation has entered a new phase.<\/strong> Law No. 2026-798 of 18 August 2026, aimed at providing immediate responses to conduct disrupting public order, security and peace, strengthens the tools available to property owners seeking to recover possession of their property more quickly.<\/p>\n

This reform follows on from the 27 July 2023 \u201canti-squat\u201d legislation, which had already increased criminal penalties and simplified certain eviction procedures. Two developments deserve particular attention: the inclusion of furnished tourist accommodation (including Airbnb-type rentals)<\/strong> and the extension of protection to commercial, professional and agricultural premises<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A Further Step in the Fight Against Squatting<\/h2>\n

Cases of squatting<\/strong> and unlawful occupation continue to be a growing concern for property owners, landlords, investors and business operators.<\/p>\n

In order to make the eviction of squatters<\/strong> more effective, the legislator has continued its efforts to accelerate procedures and strengthen the protection of property rights. The law of 18 August 2026 seeks to address situations that had previously proven difficult to resolve quickly.<\/p>\n

Airbnb and Furnished Tourist Accommodation: Addressing New Forms of Occupation<\/h2>\n

One of the most significant changes concerns the continued occupation of a furnished tourist property after the expiry of a tourist rental agreement<\/strong>, as defined by Article L. 324-1-1 of the French Tourism Code.<\/p>\n

The rapid growth of platforms such as Airbnb<\/strong> has led to an increasing number of situations where an individual lawfully enters a property for a short stay but subsequently refuses to vacate it at the agreed departure date.<\/p>\n

In these circumstances, owners could face difficulties obtaining the prompt eviction of the unlawful occupant<\/strong>, as entry into the property had originally been authorised.<\/p>\n

The 18 August 2026 reform provides a practical response to this issue and reinforces the rights of owners dealing with individuals who refuse to leave at the end of a seasonal rental or Airbnb booking.<\/p>\n

This change is particularly relevant in tourist areas where furnished holiday rentals represent a significant part of the housing market.<\/p>\n

Protection Extended to All Types of Premises<\/h2>\n

The second major development is the extension of the scheme to include premises<\/strong> more generally.<\/p>\n

Until now, unlawful occupation issues were primarily addressed from the perspective of residential property. In practice, however, occupations without legal right or title also affect:<\/p>\n