In a landmark move addressing growing concerns over housing affordability and overtourism, Spain’s government has ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings from its platform. This sweeping action, announced by the Consumer Rights Ministry, is part of a broader crackdown on short-term holiday rentals that are often accused of exacerbating housing shortages and inflating rent prices in cities and tourist hotspots across the country.

The ministry identified thousands of listings that failed to comply with national and regional regulations. Many lacked the mandatory registration numbers required for legal operation, while others contained misleading ownership or licensing information. By demanding the removal of these listings, the Spanish government aims to curb what it describes as a “widespread and systematic” circumvention of housing laws. This move follows increasing pressure from local governments and residents who blame platforms like Airbnb for transforming residential neighborhoods into de facto hotel zones, pushing out long-term tenants and driving up real estate costs.

Cities like Barcelona are leading the charge in regulating short-term rentals. The city has already stopped issuing new tourist licenses and announced plans to phase out all 10,000 current short-term holiday apartments by 2028. Authorities argue that returning these units to the long-term rental market is crucial to stabilizing housing availability and affordability. Other regions, such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, are reevaluating their tourism strategies as well, curbing promotional efforts and enforcing stricter rental regulations to reduce environmental and infrastructure pressure.

Airbnb, however, has strongly contested the Spanish government’s directive. The company claims that the Consumer Rights Ministry overstepped its authority and used automated processes to wrongly flag listings. Airbnb argues that many of the affected properties are legally compliant or not subject to registration requirements. The company warns that such sweeping actions could undermine the economic contributions of tourism, which supports millions of jobs and generates substantial income for Spanish families who rent out their homes.

Despite Airbnb’s objections, public sentiment in many Spanish cities has shifted toward stronger regulation. The 2024 tourism season saw a record 94 million visitors, making Spain the second most-visited country in the world. While tourism remains vital to the economy, residents and policymakers are increasingly vocal about its negative side effects, particularly on housing and community life.

This directive signals the government’s commitment to putting residents’ needs first. Spain joins a growing list of global cities and countries that are reining in short-term rentals to preserve housing for locals. While the battle between tech platforms and regulators continues, the underlying message is clear: the balance between economic development and quality of life must be recalibrated.