Spain Cracks Down on Airbnb: 65,000 Listings Ordered Removed Over Rule Breaches

The Spanish government has ordered Airbnb to take down more than 65,000 holiday rentals across the country after identifying widespread breaches of housing regulations. The enforcement follows concerns that short-term holiday lets are exacerbating Spain’s deepening housing crisis.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs stated that the listings in question failed to meet basic legal criteria, such as displaying proper licence numbers, identifying whether the host was an individual or a company, and aligning with official property records.

This nationwide effort comes amid growing discontent from residents who are increasingly priced out of their neighbourhoods, especially in heavily touristed areas like Barcelona and Madrid.

‘No more excuses’ from platforms

Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy emphasised that the government would no longer tolerate what he described as a widespread disregard for the law within the short-term rental sector.

The initial removal order affects 5,800 properties, primarily located in tourism-heavy regions such as Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia. According to the ministry, two more waves of delistings will follow until the total reaches 65,935.

Airbnb, having been notified earlier this year, attempted to block the government’s move through legal means. However, the High Court in Madrid sided with the state.

Airbnb contests the decision

A representative for Airbnb told Euronews Travel that the company will continue to appeal the government’s actions. They argued that no solid evidence has been presented to prove host wrongdoing and claimed the ruling contravenes both EU and Spanish legislation.

Barcelona leads the charge

The situation in Barcelona highlights the scale of the problem. In a bold move last year, city officials announced that all 10,000 existing short-term rental licences would be revoked by 2028, to reclaim housing for residents.

This broader push follows years of growing tension between locals and tourists, with critics pointing to short-term rentals as a major force behind gentrification and soaring rents.

What’s next?

As Spain presses forward with stricter controls, the debate over how to balance tourism with housing access is far from over. What’s clear is that the government is signalling a firm shift in favour of residential stability over unregulated short-term profits.