From Spain to Greece, authorities are stepping up inspections, introducing new licensing systems, and demanding greater cooperation from booking platforms
Tourists are facing new rules (Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
Several of the UK’s favourite holiday spots are taking a firm approach to illegal tourist apartments in an effort to tackle overtourism. Spain has joined Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece in clamping down on unlicensed properties.
The issue with these unlawful holiday lets is not new, as protests against overtourism broke out across Spain last summer. Locals blame these apartments for the housing crisis, with rental prices soaring to unprecedented levels and reducing available housing for residents.
In Majorca, many locals are already distressed over the state of the housing market, with prices rising by another 15% in the past year alone. It comes as a Greece travel warning has been issued with wildfires breaking out across the country.
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In an attempt to address the problem, authorities in Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece are increasing inspections, implementing new licensing systems, and demanding more cooperation from booking platforms.
Despite earlier warnings of hefty fines this year, a Spanish government report claimed that there are still 7,000 holiday apartments being rented out illegally in the Balearic Islands, reports the Express.
It is hoped that this stringent crackdown will create a fairer market for legal operators and protect communities. Authorities in these popular holiday destinations say their message is clear: tourists are welcome but only when it is done legally and there is respect between locals and visitors.
The housing crisis in Spain has become so severe that the Spanish government has branded it a “social emergency”, estimating that between 600,000 and a million new properties must be constructed over the next four years to satisfy demand.
The cost-of-living crisis is also having an impact, with a third of Spaniards acknowledging they cannot afford a week-long break away, according to the National Statistics Institute.
Barcelona is spearheading efforts with strict measures to tackle holiday rentals as the city is currently eliminating tourist flats, with plans to remove all licensed short-term lettings by 2028.
Mayor Jaume Collboni has declared that the City Council will not extend any permits for tourist-use flats once they lapse in November 2028.