Spain has ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday homes from its platform as part of a crackdown on illegal listings.
The country’s Consumer Rights Ministry said the listings violated existing rules, according to Reuters.
Many of the banned listings do not include a licence number and some do not specify whether they’re run by an individual or corporation, said the Ministry.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s Consumer Rights Minister, said: ‘No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country.’
The minister said his goal was to end the ‘lack of control’ and ‘illegality’ in the holiday rental industry.
Spain is currently facing a housing crisis as construction has failed to keep up with demand.
According to official data, Spain had about 321,000 homes listed as holiday rentals in November 2024.
That’s a 15 per cent increase from 2020 while there are thought to be many more that operate without an official licence.
Spain has ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday homes from its platform as part of a crackdown on illegal listings
The country’s Consumer Rights Ministry said the listings violated existing rules, according to Reuters
The news follows huge protests against tourism in the Canary Islands over the weekend. Activists are calling for a cap on the number of holidaymakers, to prevent overcrowding and resource depletion
In 2024, Barcelona’s mayor ordered a total ban on tourist rentals by 2028. At the time, Mayor Jaume Colboni said: ‘It’s very drastic but it has to be because the situation is very, very difficult.
‘In Barcelona, like other big European cities, the number one problem we have is housing.’
The latest crackdown follows a huge protest against overtourism in the Canary Islands over the weekend.
Thousands of people marched under banners saying the ‘Canaries have a limit’ with some holidaymakers taking shelter in their hotels.
A tourist told MailOnline: ‘I didn’t go out due to the protests, I’m stuck in my Airbnb to avoid the crowds.’
One placard read: ‘Stop excessive tourism… this is our home,’ while another said: ‘My misery is your paradise’.
A banner declared the Canary Islands ‘is no longer a paradise’ thanks to tourism.
Another sign was inscribed with the words: ‘tourists swim in s**t’, referencing the large amount of sewage water that is dumped into the sea – the majority of it, activists say, coming from hotels and tourist accommodations.
Protesters want much stricter controls on vacation rentals to alleviate the housing crisis
Protestors beat drums during the protests
Thousands of anti-tourism protesters have taken to the streets of the Canary Islands
Other placards in Spanish said: ‘Don’t sell your homes to guiris!’ Guiri is a Spanish slang word for British and other tourists.
Demonstrators could also be heard shouting ‘Canarias No Se Vende’, meaning ‘The Canary Islands Are Not For Sale,’ while the blew whistles and proudly held Canary Island flags in the sky.
Marchers also echoed the chant ‘No hay cams pa’ tanto guiri’, translating to ‘There’s not enough beds for so many foreigners.’ While another placard read: ‘Enjoying a day at your pool? That water could be going on food.’
An Airbnb spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Hotels and tour operators are the root cause of overtourism in Spain with the vast majority of visitors staying in hotels across the Canary Islands, Balearics, and Barcelona.
‘Limiting Airbnb accommodation will only harm hosts on Airbnbs trying to make a living, not reduce tourists.
‘Airbnb accounts for just 4 percent of guest stays in the Canary Islands and provides an economic lifeline to families, spreading the benefits of tourism to local communities and small businesses beyond hotel hotspots.’
