The Spanish government has ordered Airbnb to delist more than 65,000 short-term rentals that do not comply with national housing laws. The order, issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, follows an investigation launched in December 2024 and aims to address growing concerns around unregulated holiday rentals and their impact on housing affordability.
Officials cited that many of the listings either lacked a valid registration number or did not clearly indicate the nature of ownership—whether by individuals or corporations. The removal will take place in phases, starting with 5,800 listings, and backed by a high court ruling.
This move is part of Spain’s broader efforts to control the booming short-term rental market. In recent years, cities like Barcelona have announced stricter regulations, including a full ban on holiday rentals by 2029. As of late 2023, over 320,000 homes in Spain had holiday rental licenses—up 15% since 2020.
Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy emphasized that the government’s goal is to curb the “illegality” and lack of oversight in the market, stating, “No more excuses.”
Airbnb has pushed back, stating its intention to appeal the order, and arguing that the real issue is a lack of housing supply—not short-term rentals.
What This Means for Business Travel
While the regulation primarily targets tourist accommodations, it will likely affect business travel logistics as well:
- Reduced availability of short-term rentals in key urban hubs
- Greater scrutiny on medium-stay accommodations booked through platforms like Airbnb
- Potential cost and flexibility impact, particularly for teams that prefer apartment-style lodging
If your travel program includes these types of stays, now is a good time to audit your suppliers, update internal policies, and ensure you’re aligned with local regulations—especially in high-demand Spanish cities.