Spain removes 53,000 short-term rental properties to combat overtourism, protect housing

SPAIN – Spain has taken decisive action against the rapid growth of short-term vacation rentals by removing 53,000 properties from major booking platforms including Airbnb and Booking.com.

These properties were flagged for failing to comply with Spain’s latest housing legislation, as part of a nationwide campaign to address overtourism and its disruptive impact.

The crackdown targets popular destinations like Barcelona, Mallorca, and Madrid, where the influx of tourists in short-term rentals has sparked widespread complaints among local residents and municipal authorities.

Many locals view such rentals as detrimental to community well-being due to constant tenant turnover and rising rental prices.

The Ministry of Housing and Consumer Affairs identified thousands of properties that either lacked valid rental licenses or displayed incorrect registration numbers.

Others failed to disclose whether hosts were private homeowners or professional operators, violations that undermine consumer protection and legal transparency.

Booking.com removed over 4,000 listings primarily across the Canary Islands, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, Navarre, La Rioja, and Castile-La Mancha following government requests.

In parallel, a Madrid court upheld the removal of 5,800 Airbnb listings, prompting the company to comply with three planned enforcement waves targeting tens of thousands of unauthorized rentals.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the government is converting many of these removed tourist homes into permanent rental housing aimed at easing pressure on young people and families struggling with affordability issues.

The move reflects a balancing act between maintaining a vibrant tourism economy and ensuring sustainable, livable cities.

Tourism remains vital to Spain’s economy, providing significant employment and GDP contributions.

However, unregulated rental growth has fueled anti-tourism protests, notably in Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

Authorities viewed this intervention as necessary to protect housing access and curb speculative practices affecting local residents.

Experts caution that enforcement alone will not resolve underlying challenges such as construction delays and regulatory hurdles on long-term rentals, but see this removal as a critical step toward more sustainable tourism regulation.

Spain’s comprehensive approach signals a commitment to prioritizing community interests while fostering a healthy tourism sector that benefits residents and visitors alike without compromising housing stability.

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