As the summer tourist season approaches, Spain is tightening regulations on short-term rental properties in response to growing public discontent regarding over-tourism and its impact on local housing. The Spanish government has announced plans to revoke the listings of nearly 66,000 properties on the rental platform Airbnb, claiming they are in violation of tourist accommodation regulations. This decision follows a significant protest in the Canary Islands, where thousands rallied against the consequences of excessive tourism.
Pablo Bustinduy, the minister for social rights, indicated that these properties either failed to possess a proper license, provided incorrect licensing details, or didn't adequately clarify the owner’s rental status—professional or private. The legal announcement follows a Madrid court's ruling that mandated Airbnb to promptly remove 5,800 specific properties from their listings.
"This represents a clear victory for those advocating for housing rights," stated Bustinduy, emphasizing the government's commitment to prioritizing residential rights over economic interests, ensuring that powerful companies comply with housing laws. As rent prices have surged in urban areas, housing has emerged as a pivotal issue among the populace. The average rent has skyrocketed over the past decade, while wage growth has stagnated, exacerbating the problem.
Tourist apartments have been widely criticized for depriving locals of suitable housing, contributing to an ongoing crisis in Spain—now the second most visited nation globally with projections of 94 million foreign tourists expected in 2024. Concerns about the rising number of Airbnb listings have led Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to confront the situation, declaring that there are “too many Airbnbs and not enough homes,” while vowing to control the proliferation of properties for tourism.
Several municipalities have taken steps to address this dilemma. For instance, Barcelona has plans to phase out its 10,000 short-term rental apartments by 2028. Conversely, in the past months, Airbnb has engaged in agreements with regional authorities in areas like Ibiza and the Canary Islands to ensure host compliance with local rental regulations.
In response to the government's recent moves, Airbnb has announced plans to appeal the rulings and maintain that no proof of violating regulations has been presented against their hosts. The company cites a 2022 ruling from the Spanish Supreme Court, which determined that listing accountability lies primarily with the property owners, positioning Airbnb merely as an intermediary rather than as a real estate provider.
The housing shortage remains a critical issue in Spain, and Airbnb has claimed that the housing crisis stems from a fundamental lack of supply rather than the presence of rental platforms. “Regulating Airbnb doesn’t resolve the housing issue or help return homes to the market; it merely harms local families dependent on hosting for their financial stability,” asserted an Airbnb representative.
Last summer marked a heightened wave of protests against the negative effects of over-tourism, particularly regarding housing displacement, and with the influx of tourists approaching 100 million, unrest is expected to persist into the forthcoming summer months. Recent demonstrations in the Canary Islands highlighted this rebellious spirit under the banner "Canaries have a limit," with more planned action in Majorca, where activists are set to march on June 15 advocating for “Less tourism, more life.”
