Home » TOURISM NEWS » Spain Removes Fifty-Three Thousand Illegal Tourist Flats From Official Register To Bolster The Long-Term Rental Market And Address Housing Shortage
Published on
September 16, 2025
Spain has taken decisive action by removing fifty-three thousand illegal tourist flats from the national registry, aiming to convert them into permanent rental housing. This move addresses the growing housing crisis by expanding access to long-term rentals, particularly in regions where rising rents have made affordable housing increasingly scarce. The government’s decision seeks to regulate the tourism rental sector and ensure that local residents benefit from more sustainable housing options, striking a balance between the needs of the housing market and the tourism industry.
The Spanish government has taken a significant step in addressing the growing issue of tourist flats by announcing a move to convert 53,000 such properties into permanent rental housing. This initiative comes after the discovery of irregularities in the national registry, particularly within the Single Register of Tourist and Seasonal Rentals. These irregularities have led to a decision to reclassify the affected properties as long-term rental units, with a clear aim to improve the housing market and provide more affordable living options for residents.
Tourist flats, once primarily designated for short-term rentals to visitors, have become a controversial issue in Spain’s housing sector. Many argue that the boom in short-term vacation rentals has contributed to housing shortages in popular tourist destinations. Cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and other coastal and island regions have witnessed a significant increase in the number of these properties, which are often used by tourists instead of being made available to the local population. This surge has led to escalating rents and decreased availability of long-term rental housing, making it increasingly difficult for residents to find affordable places to live.
The Ministry of Housing’s decision to remove 53,000 tourist flats from the registry and convert them into permanent rental properties reflects the government’s efforts to address these concerns. These flats, previously classified as tourist accommodations, will now be designated for long-term rentals, offering an opportunity for locals to secure housing in areas that have been heavily impacted by the influx of tourists. The change aims to bring greater stability to the housing market, ensuring that more properties are available for long-term residents, rather than being reserved for temporary stays.
The Ministry of Housing has already taken swift action by instructing major tourist accommodation platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com to remove the listings for the affected properties. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure that the housing market remains sustainable, while also balancing the needs of the tourism industry. The decision to reclassify these flats as permanent rentals aligns with the Spanish government’s broader objective of regulating the tourist accommodation sector and addressing the growing demand for affordable housing.
In response to the announcement, Airbnb issued a statement highlighting its commitment to cooperation with the Spanish authorities. The company has faced challenges with the Spanish government in the past, particularly over regulations concerning short-term rentals. However, the latest development signals a shift towards a more collaborative approach between the platform and the government. Airbnb emphasized its proactive stance in fostering collaboration, quality, and long-term sustainable growth in the sector. The company noted that, despite past challenges, this new chapter for Airbnb in Spain would focus on ensuring that the majority of its listings are compliant with local regulations.
As part of its ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, Airbnb revealed that approximately 70,000 additional listings now display an official registration number, indicating that these properties are in compliance with the Spanish regulations. This demonstrates the company’s efforts to align its operations with local laws and regulations, ensuring that both property owners and renters are operating within the legal framework. However, the company also acknowledged that around 10 percent of the properties affected by the new measure still had active listings on its platform. These properties, which had been removed from the official registry, will now be deregistered immediately.
While Airbnb and Booking.com have played a significant role in the implementation of this new policy, the move to reclassify tourist flats as permanent rentals is a broader initiative that affects many regions across Spain. The regions most impacted by the removal of tourist flats from the registry include Andalusia, which leads with 16,740 properties, followed by the Canary Islands with 8,698, Catalonia with 7,729, and the Valencian Community with 7,499. Other regions affected by the decision include Galicia, with 2,640 properties, the Balearic Islands, with 2,373, Madrid, with 1,531, and Murcia, with 1,402.
The removal of these properties from the tourist rental registry is likely to have a significant impact on the local economies of these regions, particularly in areas that rely heavily on tourism. For some regions, the loss of thousands of short-term rental properties could create challenges for the tourism sector, as travelers may find fewer options for accommodation. However, the long-term benefits of addressing housing shortages in these areas could outweigh the short-term disruptions, as it is expected to help stabilize the housing market and provide more options for residents in need of affordable housing.
The government’s move to reclassify tourist flats as permanent rental properties is a reflection of Spain’s broader efforts to regulate the tourism and housing sectors more effectively. While tourism is a major economic driver in the country, the government is increasingly focused on ensuring that local populations are not priced out of their own cities and regions. By converting tourist flats into permanent rentals, the Spanish government aims to strike a balance between supporting tourism and addressing the growing housing crisis that has plagued several of the country’s most popular destinations.
Spain has removed fifty-three thousand illegal tourist flats from the registry in a decisive move to address the housing crisis. This initiative aims to convert these properties into permanent rental housing, expanding affordable options for local residents.
In conclusion, Spain’s decision to remove 53,000 tourist flats from the registry and convert them into permanent rental housing marks a significant step in addressing the country’s housing challenges. While it may create short-term challenges for the tourism industry, the long-term benefits of increased affordable housing and more balanced development across the country are expected to be substantial. By taking action to regulate the short-term rental market, the Spanish government is ensuring that its housing market remains sustainable and accessible to all residents, while also supporting the broader goals of sustainable tourism.
