Spain "cracks down" on short-term rentals - 65 million euros fine for Airbnb, after measures against Booking
Spain has decided to pursue a tough policy on short-term rentals. The country fined Airbnb 65 million euros for continuing to advertise properties for short-term rentals that were prohibited or did not have proper licenses.
Spain's consumer affairs ministry said the fine was final and ordered the US platform to immediately remove the illegal listings. Officials said more than 65,000 listings on Airbnb violated Spanish consumer protection rules, including advertising properties without licenses or with numbers that did not match official records.
The penalty is equal to six times the profits Airbnb had made between the period when authorities warned the company about the listings that violated the rules and the moment they were removed.
The fine also comes as pressure mounts on the government to limit tourist accommodation, due to a deepening housing crisis, particularly in major cities that face large numbers of tourists.
According to Spanish authorities, 65,122 Airbnb listings violated rules designed to protect renters and consumers. Many of the properties were located in regions where short-term rentals are restricted or require explicit authorization.
The ministry announced that platforms like Airbnb must verify that properties advertised in Spain comply with local and regional housing regulations, including the use of valid license numbers. When this does not happen, these rentals stay on the market longer than necessary, reducing the number of homes available for residents seeking long-term accommodation.
The crackdown hasn’t been limited to Airbnb. In June, Spain also ordered Booking.com to remove more than 4,000 illegal accommodations. Barcelona has become a major tourist destination that has launched a crackdown on short-term rentals. This year, the city announced plans to phase out all tourist apartments by 2028, banning platforms like Airbnb from operating private rentals in residential buildings.
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