Spain is taking dramatic action against holiday rental platforms like Airbnb as locals struggle to find affordable homes. The Spanish government wants to remove nearly 66,000 rental properties from these platforms, claiming that they operate illegally.
Housing has become a huge problem in some areas of Spain. Rent prices have doubled in the past ten years, but salaries haven’t kept up. Many Spaniards blame vacation rentals for taking homes away from local residents who need places to live.
The situation has become so bad that thousands of people have joined protests in popular tourist areas. Protesters in the Canary Islands carried signs saying “It’s Survival, Not Tourismphobia” and demanded limits on tourism.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s minister for social rights and consumer affairs, announced that tens of thousands of Airbnb listings violate housing regulations. A Madrid court has already ordered Airbnb to immediately remove nearly 5,000 properties from its platform.
The problem properties are spread across six major regions including Madrid, Barcelona’s Catalonia, and popular vacation spots including the Balearic Islands. According to officials, these rentals either:
- Don’t have proper licenses;
- Provided fake license numbers;
- Failed to properly identify whether owners are renting professionally or privately.
Bustinduy called the court decision “a clear victory for those who fight to protect the right to housing.” He emphasised that no company, no matter how large, should be above the law.
Spain is a popular tourist destination – it’s the world’s second-most visited country after France. Last year alone, 94 million foreign visitors visited Spain, a 13% increase from the year before.
While tourism brings money into the economy, it’s creating serious problems for locals. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez summed up the issue: “there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes.”
Cities are feeling the most pressure. Barcelona has announced it will eliminate all 10,000 of its short-term tourist apartments by 2028. Other areas are trying different approaches, working with Airbnb to ensure property owners follow local rules.
Airbnb fights back
The rental platform is not accepting the decision quietly. Airbnb plans to appeal the court ruling and argues that individual property owners, not the company itself, are responsible for following local laws.
The company also disputes that short-term rentals are the real problem. An Airbnb spokesperson said the housing crisis stems from not having enough homes to meet demand, adding that “regulating Airbnb does not alleviate housing concerns or return homes to the market.”
They argue that restrictions hurt local families who depend on rental income to afford their rising living costs.
Last summer, Spain saw widespread protests against over-tourism in popular destinations. With tourist numbers approaching 100 million per year, more demonstrations are expected this summer.
The recent Canary Islands protests used the slogan “Canaries have a limit.” In Majorca, a group called “Less Tourism, More Life” planned a major protest in June.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain, you might find fewer rental options available on platforms like Airbnb. The government’s actions could significantly reduce the number of holiday rentals, especially in popular tourist areas.
For Spanish residents, these changes represent hope that housing might become more affordable and available. However, the tourism industry argues that Spain’s economy depends heavily on visitors, and restrictions could hurt local businesses and workers.
Spain’s situation reflects a global struggle many popular destinations face. Cities from Barcelona to Venice are trying to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the needs of local residents.
The outcome of Spain’s legal battles with Airbnb could influence how other countries handle similar housing crises. As more tourists seek vacation rentals worldwide, governments are watching closely to see if Spain’s tough approach will work.
For now, the message from Spanish authorities is clear: housing for locals comes first, and vacation rental companies must follow the rules or face removal from the market.