Lorraine Williamson
As Spain braces for peak tourist season, authorities have intensified a sweeping crackdown on unlawful short-term rentals. In a significant move, Booking.com has voluntarily removed over 4,000 listings that failed to meet legal registration requirements. Meanwhile, Airbnb faces mounting legal pressure to eliminate nearly 66,000 unlicensed properties from its Spanish platform.
The clean-up campaign, led by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, aims to restore balance in housing markets increasingly skewed by holiday lets. The timing is no coincidence — summer tourism is heating up, and with it, tension over the shortage of long-term housing for locals.
Listings axed in Canary Islands and the north
Booking’s purge followed a formal request from the Ministry, focusing on properties in the Canary Islands, Asturias, Cantabria, and Navarra. Moreover, many listings were found to be missing registration numbers, falsely advertised, or unclear about the nature of the host. This was the case whether private or commercial. In total, 4,093 ads were removed in what officials have called a necessary first step.
In contrast, Airbnb has so far resisted compliance. Ordered by the courts to block 5,800 non-compliant listings, the platform contested the rulings — and lost. Spain’s government is now demanding a full-scale removal of tens of thousands more. Airbnb argues that responsibility lies with the hosts, but under Spanish law, platforms are legally obliged to enforce compliance and prevent illegal offerings.
A blow against holiday rental exploitation
Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy framed the move as a win for residents struggling under Spain’s deepening housing crisis. In cities and coastal hotspots, holiday lets have edged out long-term rentals, pushing prices beyond the reach of many Spanish families.
“This is a victory for people being priced out of their own neighbourhoods,” Bustinduy said. “Tourism should not come at the cost of local housing security.”
The government insists that digital platforms must vet their listings and ensure legality — not only to protect consumers but also to restore housing access in regions overrun by tourist demand.
What travellers need to know
For tourists, the new rules promise clearer, safer bookings. Registered rentals must now display official licence numbers and include verified details, reducing the risk of arriving at an illegal property that may be shut down mid-holiday.
It’s a move towards transparency that many in the travel industry say is long overdue — especially in light of growing complaints about last-minute cancellations and misleading listings.
More action to come
While Booking has complied with the initial order, two further inspections are in the pipeline. Depending on the outcome, more listings could be culled in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Airbnb remains locked in legal proceedings, with the government ratcheting up the pressure to bring the platform in line.
This is just one chapter in a wider national push to rein in unregulated tourist accommodation. With housing affordability now a top political issue in Spain, platforms that profited from the boom in holiday lets are facing a sharp legal and reputational reckoning.
Housing first in the face of tourism pressure
The removal of thousands of illegal holiday rentals is more than an administrative act — it marks a shift in priorities. Spain’s message is clear: local residents and legal housing take precedence over unchecked tourist profits. As enforcement continues, both tourists and hosts alike will need to adapt to a stricter, more regulated rental landscape.
Sources: HuffingtonPost, ElDiario