Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has demanded that Airbnb take down more than 65,000 vacation rental listings from its platform. The move comes amid a growing housing affordability crisis, which has prompted authorities to step up actions against short-term rental companies. Here’s what we know so far.
Why Did Spain Order Airbnb to Remove Listings?
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, many of the listings lacked the required license number or failed to specify whether the owner was an individual or a legal entity. In some cases, the license numbers provided did not match official records.
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Airbnb responded by announcing its intent to challenge the decision. A company spokesperson questioned the ministry’s authority to regulate short-term rentals and criticized what it described as an indiscriminate methodology that included listings which legally do not require a license to operate.
How Many Airbnb Listings Were Removed in Spain?
The ministry ordered the removal of a total of 65,935 listings from Airbnb.
Which Airbnb Properties Are Affected?
According to the Spanish government, the majority of affected properties are located in:
- Madrid
- Andalusia
- Catalonia
Spain’s Housing Crisis
Spain is currently experiencing a severe housing affordability crisis. In recent months, tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest against soaring property prices and rental costs. Many argue that the rapid expansion of tourist rentals through platforms like Airbnb has exacerbated the problem, particularly in high-demand cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and other popular tourist destinations.
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In response, some local governments have started implementing stricter regulations. A notable example is Barcelona, which last year announced plans to phase out the city’s 10,000 authorized short-term rental apartments by 2028. The goal is to safeguard housing availability for full-time residents.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has ramped up its oversight of the short-term rental sector. According to official statements, Airbnb was notified months ago about thousands of listings that failed to comply with legal requirements, including missing license numbers or unclear ownership information. The company appealed the decision in court.
However, the Spanish government recently stated that the High Court of Justice of Madrid upheld the ministry’s order. Minister Bustinduy confirmed that this would result in the immediate removal of 5,800 listings, with two additional phases bringing the total number of removed listings to 65,935.
Origins of Airbnb
Airbnb began in 2007, when founders Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky hosted three guests in their San Francisco apartment. At the time, they didn’t have extra rooms, so they offered inflatable mattresses on the floor along with breakfast. This experience inspired the launch of a platform called “Airbed and Breakfast,” initially focused on low-cost, personalized stays.
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Over time, the concept evolved, expanding to include a wide range of accommodations and unique travel experiences around the world. What started as a temporary idea to make extra income has since grown into one of the most influential hospitality platforms globally.
Today, Airbnb has a community of over 5 million hosts who have welcomed more than 2 billion guests in nearly every country. Every day, thousands of people open their homes to offer not just a place to sleep, but unique experiences and authentic ways to explore local cultures, neighborhoods, and lifestyles. Through this global network, Airbnb has reshaped the way people travel, fostering more meaningful connections between travelers and host communities.
