The Spanish government is tightening regulations on short-term tourist rentals. The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 has ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 property listings from its platform, labeling them as “illegal.”
Under the leadership of Minister Pablo Bustinduy, the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs instructed Airbnb’s Irish subsidiary to take down 65,935 listings. These were deemed unlawful for violating advertising regulations related to tourist accommodations, according to an official statement.
The decision specifically targets entire homes listed for short-term rental, with no listings for individual rooms involved. The ministry argues that the ads breach regional laws in various autonomous communities where the listings were found.
This conflict has been building over several months. Authorities repeatedly warned Airbnb that these listings did not comply with legal requirements and requested their removal. Airbnb, however, challenged the government’s actions in court.
Recently, the High Court of Justice in Madrid ruled in favor of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, affirming its authority and ordering the immediate removal of 5,800 listings. The affected properties are located in Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country.
Why Are the Listings Considered Illegal?
The Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs identified several key violations:
- Many listings lack the mandatory license or registration number required by regional laws — the most common infraction.
- Listings often do not specify whether the host is a private individual or a professional, making it unclear whether consumers are protected under consumer law.
- Some ads use fake or invalid license numbers, which can mislead or deceive potential renters.
Minister Bustinduy stated that the goal is to work with local authorities to curb the widespread illegality and lack of oversight in the tourist rental sector. He emphasized the importance of enforcing regulations to improve housing access and eliminate thousands of unlawful listings.
This is part of an ongoing effort by the Ministry. In December 2024, it launched a disciplinary investigation into a tourist rental platform for potential regulatory violations. By February 2025, further proceedings were initiated against major property management firms for failing to disclose the legal status of their landlords.
