**The Spanish government's actions aim to curb tourism-related housing issues, reflecting growing public backlash and calls for regulatory measures.**
**Spain Tackles Airbnb Listings Amid Rising Concerns Over Over-Tourism**
**Spain Tackles Airbnb Listings Amid Rising Concerns Over Over-Tourism**
**Government calls for removal of thousands of Airbnb properties as protests against over-tourism escalate.**
The Spanish government is intensifying its efforts against Airbnb, targeting nearly 66,000 property listings that it claims violate regulations governing tourist accommodations. This move comes at a time when Spain faces a renewed wave of protests regarding over-tourism, particularly evident in the Canary Islands, where thousands took to the streets on Sunday to express their concerns.
Pablo Bustinduy, the minister for social rights, consumer affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, asserted that many of the affected properties have breached essential housing norms aimed at regulating tourist use. The government's announcement was highlighted by a recent Madrid court directive mandating Airbnb to withdraw 5,800 property listings immediately. These listings are dispersed across key regions, including Madrid, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. According to Bustinduy, these properties either lacked proper licensing, contained erroneous license numbers, or failed to clarify the owner's legal status—whether the listings are from individual owners or professional entities.
In a notable statement, Bustinduy framed the court's decision as a triumph for those advocating for housing rights, emphasizing that economic interests must not overshadow housing availability in Spain. The rising cost of rent has become a pressing issue for residents, with prices doubling over the last ten years, contrasted by stagnant wages. Many citizens have identified vacation rentals, like those listed on Airbnb, as contributing significantly to this housing crisis by reducing the number of available residences for locals.
Spain is renowned as the second most visited country globally, welcoming approximately 94 million tourists in 2024—a 13% increase from the previous year. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously commented on the imbalance between the number of Airbnb listings and available housing, pledging to prevent the unchecked growth of tourist rentals.
Local governments are also becoming more proactive. Barcelona City Hall has committed to eliminating 10,000 short-term tourist apartments by 2028. Conversely, Airbnb has pursued partnerships with local administrations across various regions, aiming to ensure compliance with rental regulations. In response to the recent court ruling and Bustinduy’s statements, Airbnb has announced intentions to appeal, arguing that hosts, not the platform itself, bear responsibility for the accuracy of their listed properties. The company contends that the underlying problem of affordable housing stems from insufficient supply to meet demand.
The previous summer witnessed significant protests against over-tourism across popular tourist locations with amplified public discontent focused on housing issues. As foreign tourist numbers are projected to approach 100 million annually, tensions are likely to heighten throughout this summer. Recent demonstrations in the Canary Islands came under the rallying cry "Canaries have a limit," mirroring similar sentiments in Majorca, where activists plan further protests under the banner of "Less tourism, more life" on June 15.
