Spain Cracks Down on Airbnb to Tackle Housing Crisis and Over-Tourism
Hey everyone, have you seen what’s happening in Spain right now? The government is taking some serious action against Airbnb, and it’s making headlines. As the summer tourism season approaches, Spain is cracking down hard on illegal short-term rentals—particularly on platforms like Airbnb—in an effort to tackle two growing problems: over-tourism and a brutal housing crisis.
Just recently, Spain ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings from its platform. That’s a massive number. These properties were flagged by the government for violating regulations. Some didn’t have a license at all, others had fake or incorrect license numbers, and many failed to disclose whether the rental was run by a company or a private individual. Basically, a lot of them weren’t playing by the rules.
This move isn’t coming out of nowhere. It follows a court ruling in Madrid that ordered the immediate removal of almost 5,000 of those listings, with more expected to be taken down soon. The minister behind this initiative, Pablo Bustinduy, has made it clear: protecting the right to housing is more important than economic interests. He even said, “No company, however big or powerful, is above the law.” Pretty strong words.
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And the public seems to agree. Just a few days ago, thousands of people protested in the Canary Islands, holding signs and chanting slogans against mass tourism. These protests are part of a growing backlash from locals who feel pushed out of their own neighborhoods due to the rise in short-term tourist rentals. In places like Majorca, similar protests are already scheduled for June.
Let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Spain is now the world’s second most visited country, just behind France. Last year, it welcomed 94 million foreign tourists—a 13% increase from the previous year. That’s putting huge pressure on local infrastructure, housing, and community life.
The cost of renting in Spain has doubled over the last decade, while wages haven’t kept pace. For many Spaniards, finding affordable housing has become nearly impossible, and tourist apartments are being blamed for making the situation worse. Even Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez admitted earlier this year that there are “too many Airbnbs and not enough homes.”
Now, Airbnb is fighting back, saying they’ll appeal the decision and that it's not their responsibility to police every listing—that’s on the hosts. They’re also arguing that cutting listings won’t solve the housing crisis and only harms families who rely on the extra income. But from the government's perspective, it’s about reining in an out-of-control market that’s hurting everyday people.
This isn’t just a Spain issue, by the way. Cities around the world are grappling with similar challenges. But what’s happening in Spain right now could be a signal of what’s to come elsewhere.
So yeah, Spain’s message is loud and clear: housing is a right, not a luxury, and the unchecked growth of platforms like Airbnb won’t be tolerated anymore. Let’s see how this plays out, especially as the summer heats up—literally and politically.
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