The Spanish government has officially ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 short-term rental listings from its platform in an aggressive effort to address the country’s deepening housing crisis. The move follows growing concerns that platforms like Airbnb are contributing to skyrocketing rents, displacing local residents, and reducing the availability of long-term housing in Spain’s most populated and touristic regions.
Government Action and Legal Basis
Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs issued a formal notice demanding that Airbnb immediately delist tens of thousands of illegal or unregistered properties from its platform. The listings in question are concentrated in major regions such as Catalonia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, and Madrid — areas already struggling with housing shortages and high rental prices.
Authorities say these listings lack the required registration and authorization from local and regional housing authorities. As a result, they operate outside of legal frameworks, avoid taxation, and intensify speculative practices in the residential market.
Why Now?
Over the last five years, Spain has seen an alarming rise in rent prices, particularly in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Palma de Mallorca. In some neighborhoods of Barcelona and Palma, up to 30% of housing stock is dedicated exclusively to tourism through platforms such as Airbnb.
This trend has dramatically reduced the availability of affordable long-term rentals for local residents — especially young people, students, and service workers. The government argues that without stronger regulation of short-term rentals, the housing market will become increasingly exclusionary and unsustainable.
Consumer Affairs Minister Alberto Garzón stated:
“We cannot allow global digital platforms to control our housing markets without respecting local laws or the rights of our citizens.”
Regional Pressure and Support
Several autonomous regions in Spain, including Catalonia, the Canary Islands, and the Balearics, already enforce strict regulations on tourist rentals. In Barcelona, for instance, short-term rentals must be registered, and unauthorized listings can result in heavy fines. Similar rules apply in Valencia and on the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza.
In Palma, local authorities have banned tourist rentals in multi-unit apartment buildings that don’t meet strict zoning and safety criteria. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are preparing to adopt similar measures.
With central government backing, regional authorities now have additional legal tools to pressure platforms like Airbnb into compliance. Failure to act could lead to sanctions, lawsuits, or even restricted access to the platform within Spain.
Airbnb’s Response
Airbnb expressed disappointment over the government’s directive, emphasizing that many homeowners rely on the platform to supplement their income. The company said it supports fair regulation and has previously introduced features such as license number verification and filtering tools to encourage legal compliance.
Airbnb has also promised to investigate and remove non-compliant listings, though it warned that blanket removals could affect small-scale hosts and family incomes.
Impact on the Rental Market
Experts suggest that removing 65,000 listings from Airbnb could reshape the short-term rental market in Spain. While the tourism sector and individual landlords may suffer short-term losses, the reintroduction of thousands of properties to the long-term rental market could help stabilize rental prices — particularly in high-pressure areas.
In the long run, the government hopes that stricter enforcement will push landlords to offer more stable rental options and relieve pressure on urban housing markets.
Public Reaction
Public opinion has been sharply divided. Many residents, especially young tenants and urban workers, support the government’s action. Over the past year, cities like Barcelona, Granada, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife have seen protests against “touristification,” with locals demanding affordable housing and tougher restrictions on holiday rentals.
On the other hand, property owners and tourism businesses argue that the measures are excessive. They claim that short-term rentals generate important income and support thousands of jobs in cleaning, maintenance, transport, and hospitality.
A Global Trend
Spain is not alone in tightening regulations on short-term rental platforms. Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York City, and San Francisco have all imposed various restrictions — including limits on the number of days a property can be rented and mandatory registration.
Spain’s move aligns with this international trend as cities and countries seek to restore balance between tourism and livability for residents.
What’s Next?
Spain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda is drafting a national rental reform that would include the creation of a centralized digital registry for short-term rentals. This system would require platforms like Airbnb to verify that each listing is properly registered before it goes live.
The government is also developing tools for digital monitoring and enforcement, which would automate the detection and removal of illegal listings.
If successful, Spain could become one of the first EU countries to implement a nationwide digital control system for tourist rentals.
Conclusion
Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove 65,000 Listings Amid Housing Crisis is a bold and controversial move that marks a turning point in the country’s housing policy. It reflects growing frustration with the effects of unregulated tourism on urban life and the urgent need to reclaim residential housing for citizens.
While the short-term economic impact may be painful for some, authorities argue that long-term housing stability, affordability, and social cohesion must take priority in Spain’s urban future.
