Spain is coming down hard on short-term rentals — and Airbnb is in the crosshairs. The government has ordered the platform to pull nearly 66,000 listings across the country, accusing them of violating housing regulations. The message is clear: the days of dodging rules are over.
At the heart of the crackdown are missing or mismatched license numbers and unclear ownership details. Many listings didn’t say whether they were operated by individuals or businesses — a legal must in Spain. Despite being warned months ago, Airbnb hadn’t made the necessary changes, and now the government is acting decisively.
This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Spain is battling a housing crisis, with locals being priced out of their own cities. In places like Barcelona and Madrid, protests have erupted, as residents demand the government curb the flood of short-term tourist rentals they blame for soaring rents and disappearing homes.
The first wave of takedowns — 5,800 listings — is already underway. Two more rounds are coming to wipe out the rest. Airbnb says it’s planning to appeal, calling the government’s approach overly broad, but Spain’s high court has already backed the first wave of removals.
This isn’t just a legal dispute — it’s a major flashpoint in the global battle between tourism and housing access. And Spain is making its stance loud and clear: homes are for locals first.
From the sunny beaches of Andalusia to the crowded streets of Barcelona, the rules are changing — and platforms like Airbnb are being forced to play by them.
