EU court rules Airbnb does not require estate agent licence

ECJ ruling on firm's French operations marks a victory in fight to avoid more regulation

Airbnb has secured a victory in its fight to avoid more regulation by city authorities after the European court of justice ruled that it acted as an "information society service" rather than a real estate agency.

The EU court said the company did not require an estate agent's licence to operate in France as it was mainly providing a tool for presenting and finding accommodation for rent rather than acting as a broker.