In a bold move aimed at tackling Spain’s housing crisis, the Spanish government has instructed Airbnb to withdraw more than 65,000 holiday rental listings from its platform. The government claims that these listings violate existing regulations, contributing to the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in the country.
Regulatory Crackdown on Holiday Rentals
According to Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry, most of the Airbnb listings being blocked either lack a required license number or fail to disclose whether the property owner is an individual or a corporation. Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy has been vocal about the need for tighter control and greater accountability 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,” Bustinduy said during a statement. His goal is to eliminate the general “lack of control” in the industry, which he claims is negatively affecting the local housing market.
Legal Support and Airbnb’s Response
The Spanish government’s decision is backed by Madrid’s high court, which has authorized the removal of approximately 5,800 listings. In response, Airbnb has vowed to appeal the ruling, asserting that the Ministry lacks the authority to regulate short-term rentals and has failed to provide an evidence-based list of non-compliant listings. Some of the targeted listings, according to Airbnb, are seasonal rentals that are not typically used for tourism.
The Broader Housing Crisis
The crackdown on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com is part of a broader effort by both the Spanish government and local authorities to address the housing crisis. Many Spaniards argue that short-term rentals are driving up tourism numbers, reducing the availability of long-term rental properties, and pushing rent prices out of reach for locals.
Spain’s Growing Housing Crisis
Housing affordability has been a significant issue in Spain, exacerbated by a real estate crisis that followed the bursting of a property bubble over 15 years ago. According to government data, as of November last year, there were approximately 321,000 homes with official holiday rental licenses in Spain, marking a 15% increase from 2020. However, many more operate without proper licenses, adding to the pressure on the country’s housing market.
Global Trend in Regulating Holiday Rentals
Spain is not alone in its efforts to regulate the holiday rental industry. Other European countries, such as Croatia and Italy, have implemented similar measures to slow the growth of platforms like Airbnb. Meanwhile, in Spain, the Prime Minister announced plans earlier this year to raise taxes on income generated from holiday rentals, further intensifying the pressure on the sector.
