MADRID, SPAIN – In a sweeping and unprecedented move, the Spanish government has escalated its war against unregulated short-term rentals, demanding the removal of nearly 66,000 properties from the Airbnb platform. The dramatic ultimatum, backed by a recent court ruling, signals a determined effort to reclaim housing for local residents increasingly priced out of their own cities by the relentless boom in tourist accommodation.
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda announced on Tuesday that it has identified a staggering 65,935 Airbnb listings that are in breach of various regulations governing tourist accommodation. These violations include properties lacking proper license numbers, providing erroneous numbers, or failing to specify the legal status of the owner – whether they are a private individual or a professional entity.
“No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country,” declared Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy, underscoring the government’s firm stance. He emphasized that the move aims to address the “general lack of control” and “illegality” pervading the holiday rental sector.
The announcement follows a significant ruling by a Madrid court, which ordered Airbnb to immediately withdraw 4,984 of the properties flagged by the ministry. These initial listings are concentrated in six key regions: Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands – areas that have borne the brunt of Spain’s overtourism phenomenon. The ministry confirmed it is awaiting further judicial rulings to enforce the removal of the remaining 60,000-plus properties.
Photo by Emilio Sánchez Hernández
This national-level clampdown comes against a backdrop of escalating public anger and widespread protests across Spain, particularly in popular tourist hubs like the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Majorca. Thousands have taken to the streets in recent months, railing against soaring rental costs and the perceived transformation of their neighborhoods into tourist-only zones, depriving local residents of affordable housing. The cost of an average rental in Spain has reportedly doubled over the last decade, far outpacing salary increases.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez himself acknowledged the severity of the crisis earlier this year, stating, “there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes,” and vowing to prevent the “uncontrolled” expansion of properties for tourism.
While some local governments, such as Barcelona, have already taken aggressive steps – the city plans to eliminate all 10,000 short-term tourist apartments by the end of 2028 – this latest directive marks a coordinated national offensive.
Airbnb, for its part, has swiftly responded by insisting it will appeal against the decisions linked to this case. A spokesperson for the company maintained that “no evidence of rule-breaking by hosts has been provided,” and asserted that the ministry lacks the authority to regulate short-term rentals. They also cited a 2022 ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court which found that the responsibility for listing information lay with the host, not the platform, which it described as a “neutral intermediary.”
The company also attempted to shift the blame for Spain’s housing woes, arguing that “the root cause of the affordable housing crisis in Spain is a lack of supply to meet demand. The solution is to build more homes – anything else is a distraction.”
However, the Spanish government’s resolve appears unwavering. The current push signifies a clear determination to prioritize housing rights over unchecked commercial interests. As Spain gears up for another summer of potentially record-breaking tourism, the battle between residents’ right to housing and the lucrative short-term rental market is set to intensify, with this latest government order throwing a significant gauntlet at Airbnb’s feet. The outcome of this legal and political showdown will be closely watched by cities globally grappling with similar challenges.