The Spanish government has ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings from its platform as part of a crackdown on tourist rentals aimed at addressing a severe housing crisis in the country.
The government stated that these listings violated regulations due to a lack of proper licenses, the use of fake license numbers, or failure to disclose whether the property was managed by a corporation or an individual.
In response, Airbnb announced it would appeal the decision and maintain the listings until the legal process is completed.
Housing affordability has emerged as a significant social and political issue in Spain, prompting mass demonstrations against the impact of real estate investors and the conversion of residential properties into tourist accommodations. This trend has exacerbated the housing shortage, driving prices up faster than wages and making affordable housing inaccessible for many families.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s consumer affairs minister, emphasized that the government's actions are part of a broader initiative by various authorities to prioritize housing rights over economic interests.
Previously, Bustinduy's agency had informed Airbnb that 65,935 listings did not comply with legal standards. Following an appeal by the company, Madrid’s high court upheld the order, mandating the removal of an initial batch of 5,800 listings, with further actions to follow until all illegal listings are eliminated.
Airbnb contended that the underlying issue of the housing crisis in Spain is a lack of housing supply, arguing that stricter regulations in other cities have not resolved local housing challenges and have negatively impacted families reliant on hosting.
The company asserted that the solution lies in increasing housing construction rather than imposing further restrictions.
Listings in Madrid and Catalonia, including Barcelona, are among those affected by the recent ruling. Barcelona has announced plans to become the first European city to end licenses for vacation rentals, requiring property owners to convert them into long-term rentals at capped rents by 2028 or sell them. Mayor Jaume Collboni has identified addressing rising inequality due to the lack of affordable housing as a top priority.
Spain's situation reflects broader trends in other European cities, where residential properties are increasingly viewed as financial assets by investors. The rise in global tourism and cross-border workers has led landlords to prefer short-term rentals over long-term tenants, exacerbating the housing crisis. High costs and complex regulations have hindered new construction, while the stock of social housing has diminished as governments have sold units to generate revenue.
In response, the Spanish government is implementing an ambitious program to increase the availability of affordable and social housing. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has proposed measures to limit foreign buyers, including a 100 percent tax targeting foreign real estate investors.
Additionally, Spain’s Supreme Court recently ruled that homeowners’ associations can prohibit tourist rentals within their buildings if a three-fifths majority agrees.