Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove 65,000 Listings Amid Housing Crisis

MADRID, Spain — Spain’s government announced on May 19, 2025, it has ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 holiday rental listings for violating existing regulations. The Consumer Rights Ministry stated that many of these listings lacked necessary license numbers and did not clarify whether the owners were individuals or corporations.

Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy emphasized the need to address what he called a widespread “lack of control” in the holiday rental market. “No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country,” he told reporters.

The action comes as civilians express increasing frustration over rising housing costs across Spain. The government is responding to concerns that platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com contribute to excessive tourism and make housing unaffordable for locals. Bustinduy mentioned that Madrid‘s high court supports the request to withdraw as many as 5,800 listings.

Airbnb plans to appeal the government’s decision, arguing that the ministry lacks authority over short-term rentals and has not provided evidence supporting its claims. A spokesperson for the company indicated that some of the listings in question are not aimed at tourists.

As of last November, about 321,000 homes in Spain held holiday rental licenses, reflecting a 15% increase since 2020, with many more operating without official permission. The rising issue of housing availability has been critical in the wake of a real estate bubble collapse over 15 years ago.

Local authorities are also implementing new regulations. Notably, Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni announced a total ban on short-term rentals by 2028, symbolizing the city’s commitment to safeguarding housing for full-time residents. Other European countries, including Italy, have similarly tackled the holiday rental sector.

The crackdown on short-term rentals reflects growing urgency from governments to ensure housing remains accessible to local residents as the tourism market expands.