Spain orders Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 illegal listings amid rising public anger over housing costs, marking one of Europe’s most aggressive tech regulation efforts.
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| Spain targets Airbnb with court-backed delisting of nearly 66,000 properties lacking valid licenses, aiming to restore housing access in major tourist hubs. Image: CH |
Madrid, Spain – May 20, 2025:
In a sweeping move to address its deepening housing crisis, Spain has ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 short-term rental listings from its platform for violating regulatory standards. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Consumer Rights on Monday, underscores growing European momentum to regulate digital platforms impacting housing markets.
According to officials, 65,935 listings failed to comply with national regulations requiring valid license numbers and clear identification of the property owners. Some listings included incorrect or unverifiable registration information, while others failed to distinguish between individual and corporate ownership.
“The right to housing must take precedence over unregulated profiteering,” said Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy during a press briefing. “This action defends working families against speculative forces inflating rents and eroding residential life.”
Spain’s directive comes amid nationwide protests against rising rents and housing shortages, especially in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and regions such as Andalusia and Catalonia—hotspots for tourism where short-term rentals have flourished in recent years. Critics say platforms like Airbnb have transformed residential housing into commercial assets, displacing locals and fueling rent inflation.
Barcelona, already a leader in housing reform, announced last year that it would eliminate all 10,000 legal short-term rental licenses by 2028. Monday’s national order signals Spain’s intent to take the crackdown nationwide.
The ministry noted that Airbnb was informed months ago of the noncompliant listings and failed to take sufficient corrective action. Although the company challenged the move in court, Madrid’s High Court upheld the government’s authority to proceed.
The initial phase mandates the immediate removal of 5,800 listings, with staggered enforcement continuing until the full tally of nearly 66,000 units is removed. The targeted properties are spread across various parts of Spain, including its capital and major tourist-heavy regions.
Airbnb has not issued a formal response to the ruling. However, it has historically argued that short-term rentals support local economies and tourism. Spanish authorities, however, contend that unchecked growth in the sector is exacerbating the country’s housing emergency.
The order reflects a broader shift in Europe and globally, where digital rental platforms are increasingly subject to legal scrutiny and tighter oversight. Cities from Amsterdam to New York are imposing stricter limits on vacation rentals to preserve affordable housing.
“The government is not against tourism,” Minister Bustinduy clarified. “But this must not come at the expense of the constitutional right to housing.”
Spain’s decision could inspire similar actions in other European nations where citizens are demanding stronger protections against the impacts of platform-driven real estate markets. As tensions between digital innovation and social equity continue to grow, Spain's Airbnb delisting marks a pivotal moment in global housing and tech policy.