Published on
October 14, 2025
As of October 2025, Spain is intensifying its battle against mass tourism and the negative impact of short-term rental platforms, with Airbnb at the forefront of regulatory scrutiny. The Spanish government has already removed over 65,000 listings, and with tensions rising, the future of short-term rentals in the country is uncertain.
Introduction: The Growing Clash Between Tourism and Housing
By October 2025, Spain’s ongoing crackdown on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has reached a new level of intensity. In the face of growing public protests, government actions have forced Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday rental listings. The basis for this crackdown lies in violations of the country’s housing regulations, a move that echoes the frustrations of local communities, particularly in areas like the Canary Islands.
This decision is not just about adhering to housing regulations but represents a significant shift in how Spain is approaching mass tourism and its effect on local communities. The country’s housing crisis has become impossible to ignore, and the government’s actions reflect the wider national conversation about the role of tourism in exacerbating the housing shortage.
Rising Tensions: Mass Tourism and Housing Shortages
Spain tourism sector is one of the largest contributors to the national economy. In 2025, the country continues to attract millions of international visitors, but with that influx comes mounting challenges. The issue that now dominates discussions in tourist-heavy cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, as well as popular islands like the Balearics and the Canaries, is how mass tourism is pushing out local residents.
The situation has become particularly dire in the Canary Islands, where protests erupted against Airbnb’s role in the housing crisis. Locals have rallied under the slogans “massive tourism is making us homeless” and “the Canaries are not for sale,” calling for a stop to short-term rentals that are driving up housing costs. With properties being snapped up for tourist accommodation, long-term residents find themselves squeezed out of the housing market.
The growing disparity between affordable housing for locals and the increasing number of properties rented out to tourists has sparked frustration that has reached boiling point. In response, the Spanish government is now aggressively targeting the short-term rental market as part of a broader effort to protect affordable housing.
A Legal Blow: The Court Ruling and Immediate Action
Spain’s government gained a major legal victory when a Madrid court ruled in favor of the Ministry of Social Rights and ordered Airbnb to remove 4,984 listings for failing to comply with housing regulations. These properties were found to be in violation of licensing laws designed to protect housing for locals. The court’s decision reinforced the government’s position, highlighting the role of short-term rentals in inflating rental prices and exacerbating housing shortages.
The court ruling was particularly significant because it dealt a blow to Airbnb’s attempts to push back against Spanish regulations. In response to the government’s action, Airbnb argued that the Ministry of Social Rights did not have the authority to regulate short-term rentals in this way, citing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that placed the responsibility of accurate listing information squarely on the hosts. But the court disagreed, and in doing so, sent a clear message that the rights of locals must come before the interests of large corporations.
While Airbnb has vowed to appeal the ruling, the government remains firm in its stance that housing should not be treated as a commodity for tourists.
The Ministry’s Vision: Housing Rights Over Economic Interests
Pablo Bustinduy, the Minister of Social Rights, framed the court ruling as a significant victory for those fighting to preserve the right to housing. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that no economic interest, including the profit-driven practices of companies like Airbnb, is placed above the basic right to shelter. For Bustinduy, this is not just a regulatory issue but a matter of social justice.
The Ministry has argued that many of the properties in question either lacked the necessary licensing number, had incorrect registration details, or failed to clarify the legal status of the owners. These illegal practices, according to the Ministry, contribute to a housing shortage that affects Spain’s most vulnerable residents. With 60,000 more listings under scrutiny, it’s clear that this crackdown is far from over.
Spain’s actions underscore the increasingly aggressive stance the government is taking to preserve the availability of long-term housing in cities most impacted by tourism. Despite the clear economic benefits tourism brings to the country, it is clear the government sees protecting affordable housing as paramount.
Airbnb’s Response: Legal Challenges and Strategic Adjustments
In response to the crackdown, Airbnb has vowed to challenge the ruling, maintaining that the Ministry of Social Rights overstepped its regulatory authority. The company’s spokesperson stated that it should be up to the hosts, not the platform, to ensure the accuracy of listing details, reinforcing its position as a “neutral intermediary.” Airbnb also criticized the crackdown as indiscriminate, arguing that it unfairly targeted the company without providing clear evidence of widespread rule-breaking among hosts.
Despite Airbnb’s vocal objections, the company has made some adjustments in an attempt to comply with Spanish regulations. In July 2025, Airbnb reached an agreement with the Spanish government, committing to remove listings that lacked valid registration numbers. The company also agreed to provide monthly reports on its listings, marking a shift in its operations in Spain. Hosts are now given a 10-day window to correct discrepancies before their listings are removed. However, if a listing has been found to be in violation of registration laws, it is removed immediately.
A Broader Context: The Impact of Airbnb’s Crackdown on Spain’s Tourism Sector
While the immediate effects of the crackdown are most keenly felt in the short-term rental market, the broader implications of this legal shift are likely to be felt across Spain’s tourism industry. Tourism is a key pillar of Spain’s economy, particularly in cities and regions such as Barcelona, Madrid, and the Balearic Islands, as well as in coastal areas popular with international tourists. In 2025, the country continues to receive millions of tourists each year, with many seeking short-term rental properties for their stays.
However, as the effects of overtourism become more apparent, questions are being raised about the sustainability of tourism in its current form. For years, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb have been blamed for inflating rental prices and pushing out locals. These platforms have made it easier for tourists to book accommodation in residential areas, which has created a situation where housing becomes scarce, and locals are forced to compete with short-term visitors for long-term rental properties.
While Spain’s government has made strides in regulating the short-term rental market, the country continues to face the dual challenge of preserving its vibrant tourism industry while safeguarding the rights of local residents. In many regions, the balance between the two remains fragile.
What’s Next for Spain’s Short-Term Rental Market?
As Spain’s government moves forward with its crackdown on Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms, the future of short-term rentals in the country remains uncertain. The government is likely to continue introducing stricter regulations to mitigate the negative effects of tourism on local housing markets. However, with Airbnb appealing several of the rulings and challenging the legality of certain measures, it remains to be seen how the platform will adjust its operations moving forward.
In the meantime, local communities and tourism advocates will continue to call for a sustainable approach to tourism that respects the rights of local residents. The Spanish government’s ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rentals suggest that more actions will follow, and these regulations could set a precedent for other countries dealing with similar issues related to mass tourism and housing shortages.
Global Context: Airbnb Crackdowns Beyond Spain
As of October 2025, several countries and cities worldwide have implemented or intensified crackdowns on Airbnb and similar short-term rental platforms. These measures aim to address housing shortages, curb overtourism, and regulate the short-term rental market. Below is an overview of notable actions taken:
France
France has introduced stringent regulations targeting short-term rentals, particularly in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nice. These measures include:
Mandatory Registration: Hosts must register their properties with local authorities and display registration numbers on listings.Usage Restrictions: Limits on the number of days a property can be rented out annually.Taxation: Increased taxes on short-term rental income.
These actions are part of a broader effort to balance tourism with housing needs and community well-being.
Greece
Greece has enacted legislation to regulate short-term rentals, including:
Ban on Non-Residential Spaces: Prohibition of converting storage areas and windowless basements into rental properties.Registration Freezes: Temporary suspension of new short-term rental registrations in central Athens districts.Safety Standards: Implementation of minimum operational and safety standards for rental properties.
These measures aim to ensure that short-term rentals meet safety and livability standards while addressing housing concerns.
Italy
Italy has taken steps to regulate short-term rentals, particularly in cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice:
Check-in Regulations: Florence has banned the use of self-check-in keyboxes for holiday rentals, requiring visual guest identification during check-ins.Tourist Taxes: Cities like Rome and Venice have implemented or increased tourist taxes for short-term rentals.Property Use Restrictions: Some areas have imposed limits on the number of short-term rental properties to preserve local housing markets.United Kingdom
The UK has introduced regulations to control short-term rentals, including:
Registration Requirements: Hosts must register their properties with local authorities.Usage Limits: Restrictions on the number of days a property can be rented out annually.Taxation: Implementation of taxes on short-term rental income.
These measures are designed to ensure that short-term rentals contribute to the local economy without displacing residents.
United States
In the U.S., several cities have enacted or strengthened regulations on short-term rentals:
New York City: Enforcement of Local Law 18, requiring hosts to register with the city and be present during guest stays.New Orleans: Removal of over 1,000 unlicensed listings from Airbnb.San Francisco: Implementation of stricter registration and reporting requirements for short-term rentals.
These actions reflect a growing trend towards regulating short-term rentals to balance tourism and housing needs.
These global actions indicate a significant shift towards regulating short-term rentals to address housing shortages, curb overtourism, and ensure community well-being. The trend is expected to continue as cities and countries seek to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of their residents
Conclusion: Spain’s Struggle for Housing vs. Tourism Growth
The government’s intensified crackdown on Airbnb marks a critical turning point in Spain’s efforts to address the negative effects of mass tourism and the housing crisis. With over 65,000 listings removed and many more under scrutiny, Airbnb’s presence in Spain has been significantly impacted. The company’s attempts to resist government actions through legal challenges will continue, but the growing pressure from local communities for a more balanced approach to tourism suggests that further regulations are likely to be enacted.
As Spain seeks to find a sustainable balance between tourism growth and the preservation of affordable housing, the future of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb remains uncertain. In the coming years, the global conversation around tourism and housing will likely continue to evolve, with Spain’s actions serving as a key case study for other nations facing similar challenges.
