Spain Blocks More Than 65,000 Airbnb Holiday Rental Listings

Spain has ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 listings that violate rental regulations, citing missing license numbers and unclear ownership details. The crackdown is part of a broader government effort to address the country’s housing crisis, which many blame on unregulated short-term rentals reducing long-term housing supply. Most of the Airbnb listings to be blocked do not include their licence number, while others do not specify whether the owner was an individual or a corporation, the Consumer Rights Ministry said in a statement on Monday. Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy said his goal was to end the general “lack of control” and “illegality” in the holiday rental business. “No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country,” he told reporters.

Bustinduy said Madrid’s high court is backing the request to withdraw as many as 5,800 listings. Airbnb will appeal the decision, a spokesperson said on Monday. The company believes the ministry does not have the authority to make rulings over short-term rentals and failed to provide an evidence-based list of non-compliant accommodation. Some of the incriminated listings are non-touristic seasonal ones, the spokesperson said.