Spain orders Airbnb to remove ~66,000 listings in housing crackdown

Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings that violate its housing laws.

With the move, the country hopes to address the housing crisis it finds itself in and cope with overtourism.

Authorities say the Airbnb listings lacked proper licenses, used fake numbers, or failed to disclose if they were run by individuals or corporations. Rentals in popular tourist destinations like Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia are among the affected.

Airbnb is appealing the decision and claims the root issue is a lack of housing supply and not short-term rentals.

Soaring housing costs in Spain have outpaced wages and displaced several residents. In addition, homes are increasingly being converted into tourist rentals, adding to the crunch.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also proposed a 100% tax on foreign real estate investors to combat housing scarcity.