By Suman Naishadam
MADRID (AP) – The Spanish government wanted to send a message last month on Airbnb’s crackdown. The Spanish economy and its housing markets are not worthy profits across the rule of law “free for everyone,” the minister told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The government has ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 holiday rentals from platforms that say they have violated local rules by failing to list license numbers, listing incorrect license numbers, or not specifying the owner of the apartment. Airbnb is appealing for the move.
Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world. Last year, 49 million Southern European countries received a record 94 million international visitors.
However, housing affordability issues, particularly severe in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, have led to increased hostility towards short-term holiday rentals. Airbnb is perhaps the most famous and most visible actor.
The Spanish government says the two are related: the rise of Airbnb and other short-term rental companies, and the rise in rent and housing costs.
“There’s clearly a correlation between these two facts,” Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bastinduy told the Associated Press. “It’s not a linear relationship, it’s not the only factor that affects it, and there are many others, but it’s clearly one of the factors that contribute.”
According to a recent report on the Bank of Spain, the country has a shortage of 450,000 homes. In tourist hotspots in the Canary and Balearic Islands, half of the housing stock is tourist accommodation or property owned by non-residents, the report says.
“Tourism is certainly an important part of the Spanish economy. It is a strategic and extremely important sector. But like all other economic activities, it must be implemented in a sustainable way,” Bustinduy said. “We cannot risk the constitutional rights of the Spaniards. They have the right to happiness as well as their housing rights.”
The country has seen several massive protests that have attracted tens of thousands of people to demand more government action on housing. It includes homemade signs that include those read “Turn Airbnb out of the neighborhood” during a recent march at Madrid Point.
“There needs to be a balance between the constitutional rights of the Spaniards and general economic activity,” Bastinduy said.
Banners for tourist holiday rentals stick to the facade of a building in downtown Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Writing in Spanish reads “Neighbors, fewer tourists. Tenant power,” and “As a neighbor, we search each other and stir things up.” (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Tourists wait at the entrance to a building in downtown Madrid, Spain on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Stickers for tourist holiday rentals are attached to pipes in downtown Madrid, Spain on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Written in Spanish is “This is a speculation hotspot,” “Tourist rental out,” and “Neighborhood Speculator.” (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Tourists will carry luggage in downtown Madrid, Spain on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 (AP Photo/Manufernandez)
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Banners for tourist holiday rentals stick to the facade of a building in downtown Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Writing in Spanish reads “Neighbors, fewer tourists. Tenant power,” and “As a neighbor, we search each other and stir things up.” (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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Spanish regional governments are also tackling this issue. Last year, Barcelona announced plans to close all 10,000 city-licensed apartments by 2028 and protect the housing supply for full-time residents.
Airbnb said that while the appeal passes through court, holiday rentals will not be removed from the site anytime soon.
In response to Spanish orders, Airbnb said the platform connects property owners with tenants but has no obligation to monitor despite the need for hosts to show that they are in compliance with local laws.
Bustinduy said Spain’s recent actions not only reflect Spanish desires, but also elsewhere, explaining high-tech companies like Airbnb.
“There’s a fight over accountability and responsibility,” Bastinduy said. “The digitality of these very powerful multinational companies should not be an excuse to not comply with democratically established regulations.”
Bastindui, who belongs to the leftist Suma Party of the Governing Union, dismissed the idea that the Spanish government’s actions against Airbnb could discourage some of its visitors.
“It encourages longer stays, encourages responsible tourism and maintains everything we have in this wonderful country.
The minister also took shots on low-cost airlines. Spain opposed allowing such airlines to claim passengers in baggage. Last year, five budget airlines, including Ryanair and EasyJet, were fined.
“The principles behind these actions are always the same: they maintain consumer rights,” says Bustinduy. “Strong businesses, no matter how big, need to adapt their business models to existing regulations.”
Joseph Wilson contributed to this report from Barcelona, Spain.
Original issue: June 3, 2025, 7:50pm EDT
