The Spanish government has demanded the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb listings that allegedly violate tourist accommodation regulations. This move follows a ruling by a Madrid court ordering the immediate withdrawal of 4,984 properties from the platform. These properties span six major regions: Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands. Minister for Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, stated that the properties failed to comply with legal norms, including licensing requirements and proper identification of the property owners’ legal status.
Protests Grow as Housing Crisis Deepens Amid Unchecked Tourism and Rising Rental Costs
The crackdown coincides with growing public unrest over the effects of mass tourism, especially in heavily visited areas like the Canary Islands. Recent protests drew thousands of participants, expressing frustration over how tourism has inflated housing costs and limited the availability of homes for locals. Bustinduy emphasized that the right to housing should take precedence over corporate interests, framing the legal action as a victory for residents facing increasing economic pressure.
Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove 66,000 Listings Amid Housing Crisis and Tourism BacklashSpain is grappling with a severe housing crisis, with average rental costs having doubled in the past decade while wages have stagnated. Many attribute this crisis to the proliferation of tourist rentals, which reduce the number of homes available to local residents. The Socialist government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has acknowledged the imbalance, vowing to curb the unregulated spread of short-term rentals and prioritize housing accessibility.
Local Governments Seek Balance as Airbnb Appeals and Tourism Numbers Continue to Climb
Local governments are taking diverse approaches to address the issue. Barcelona has committed to phasing out its 10,000 short-term tourist rentals by 2028. Meanwhile, some areas like the Canary Islands and Ibiza have entered into compliance agreements with Airbnb. In response to the court ruling, Airbnb announced plans to appeal and insisted it bore no responsibility for host compliance, referencing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that categorized the company as a neutral intermediary.
Spain continues to attract a record number of foreign visitors, reaching 94 million in 2024—a 13% increase from the previous year. As the 2025 summer season approaches, further protests are expected, with movements like “Canaries have a limit” and Majorca’s “Less tourism, more life” planning public demonstrations. The growing friction between tourism-driven economic benefits and the urgent housing needs of locals highlights an intensifying national debate over how best to balance the two.
