Both models have their advantages. Revenue, legal constraints, taxation, flexibility: an honest comparison to help you decide.
The question comes up in every conversation between property owners: is it better to let your property short-term on Airbnb, or long-term to a stable tenant? There is no universal answer. It depends on the property type, its location, the owner's profile, their capacity to manage turnovers and the local legal framework. This honest comparison of both models will help you make an informed decision in 2026.
Revenue: the net advantage of short-term rental
In terms of gross revenue, well-managed short-term rental almost always surpasses long-term rental in Provence. A two-bedroom flat in central Aix let year-round typically generates 8,000 to 10,000 euros in annual rent. The same property, managed effectively on a short-term basis, can reach 22,000 to 32,000 euros depending on the season and events. The gross yield of short-term rental sits between 8% and 12% in the best configurations, against 3 to 5% for long-term.
The net advantage, after deduction of management costs (cleaning, linen, maintenance, concierge commission), is more modest but remains significant: 30 to 50% additional net revenue in favour of short-term in areas with strong tourist demand. This advantage narrows in less touristy areas or out of season.
Legal constraints: the EPC as a new eligibility filter
The 2021 Climate Act, reinforced by the 2024 Loi Le Meur, has introduced a phased ban on renting out the most energy-inefficient properties. G-rated properties have been banned from rental since January 2025, F-rated from January 2028, and E-rated from January 2034. These bans apply to both long-term and short-term rental. A property rated F or G must therefore undergo energy renovation works before it can be legally let under any model.
Flexibility: an underrated criterion
Short-term rental offers a flexibility that long-term simply cannot match. The owner can block their property for personal use, renovation or sale without being constrained by statutory notice periods. They can adjust prices in real time to match demand. They can select guests based on reviews and rate them in return. This flexibility comes at a price: management is far more intensive, and without a concierge, it represents 8 to 15 hours of work per week during peak season.
The hybrid strategy: the best of both worlds
A growing number of owners are adopting a hybrid strategy that combines short-term rental in peak season with a mobility lease in the off-season. This approach maximises income in July-August and during cultural events, while maintaining a stable year-round income through mobility tenants (master's students, executives on assignment) on 1 to 10-month leases. This model is particularly suited to university cities like Aix-en-Provence, where demand for mobility leases is strong.
Which strategy suits your profile?
- Highly available owner, property near city centre: self-managed short-term (maximised revenue, high time commitment)
- Less available owner, property in tourist area: short-term with concierge (high revenue, full delegation)
- Owner who wants simplicity, property in non-tourist area: traditional long-term (lower revenue, simpler management)
- Owner of a quality property in a university city: hybrid short-term and mobility lease (optimised revenue, manageable constraints)
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