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Spain Orders Airbnb to Remove Over 65,000 Unlicensed Rentals

The Consumer Rights Ministry's directive targets listings in Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia as part of a broader effort to address housing shortages and overtourism.

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FILE - Demonstrators march shouting slogans against the Formula 1 Barcelona Fan Festival in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, during residents protest against mass tourism. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)
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Overview

  • Spain's government has instructed Airbnb to block 65,935 holiday rental listings that lack proper licensing or have mismatched license details.
  • The crackdown is part of new national regulations aimed at curbing overtourism and addressing the country’s housing affordability crisis.
  • The affected listings span key regions, including Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia, which are heavily impacted by tourism-driven housing pressures.
  • Recent months have seen mass protests across Spain, with tens of thousands demanding action against rising rents linked to short-term holiday rentals.
  • Barcelona previously announced plans to phase out all 10,000 licensed short-term rentals by 2028 to prioritize housing for full-time residents.