Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 has ordered Airbnb to block 65,935 illegal tourist rental ads on its platform. These listings, according to the ministry, violate regional regulations and fail to meet Spain’s advertising standards for tourist accommodation.

The company received three separate orders from the ministry over the past few months. Each ruling demanded the removal of illegal listings, all of which are full-home rentals. No ads for individual rooms were included in the review.

Court Backs Government’s Decision

Airbnb challenged the ministry’s decision in court, but the Madrid High Court has now backed the government’s first ruling. The court has ordered Airbnb to immediately remove 5,800 ads that were part of that initial ruling. The properties are located in regions such as Andalucía, Madrid, Cataluña, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country.

Why the Ads Were Considered Illegal

The ministry identified three main reasons why these ads were classified as illegal:

• Missing license numbers – Many listings did not show a valid tourist rental license, which is required in several autonomous communities.
• Unclear status of landlords – Ads often failed to say whether the owner was a private individual or a professional operator, which affects consumer protections.
• False license information – Some ads used fake or incorrect license numbers, which can mislead customers.

Wider Efforts to Regulate the Market

Minister Pablo Bustinduy said the ministry aims to work with regional governments to stop the widespread use of unregulated tourist rentals and protect access to housing. The ministry is also providing technical support and sharing data with local authorities.

In addition to this case, other investigations are ongoing. In December 2024, the ministry opened a case against a rental platform for failing to include license numbers. In early 2025, further cases were launched against large rental operators and an estate agency accused of abusive practices.

Fighting the Housing Crisis, Not Tourism

This ruling is not an attack on tourism, as some media outlets abroad have suggested. Instead, it’s part of a broader effort to bring more order to the rental market, protect consumer rights, and help ease Spain’s ongoing housing crisis. By cracking down on illegal listings, the government aims to support fair competition and make housing more accessible for locals.

What do you think about this decision? Should platforms like Airbnb do more to ensure listings follow the law? Let us know your thoughts.

Main image: Pexels/John Tekeridis