Mon May 19 16:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**Headline: Spain Cracks Down on Airbnb, Orders Removal of 65,000 Listings Amid Housing Crisis**
**Madrid, Spain** – The Spanish government has ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 holiday rental listings across the country, citing widespread breaches of regulations, marking a significant escalation in the fight against the country’s growing housing affordability crisis. The Ministry of Consumer Rights announced the move, citing missing license numbers, unclear ownership records, and discrepancies between listed and official property information as the primary reasons for the mass delisting.
The crackdown targets popular tourist hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia and Catalonia and reflects increasing pressure on the government to address citizen concerns about soaring rents and home prices. Many residents blame the proliferation of short-term rentals, facilitated by platforms like Airbnb, for exacerbating the housing shortage, especially in major cities.
“No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country,” stated Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy, emphasizing the government’s commitment to tackling the lack of control and illegality within the holiday rental market.
This action follows Barcelona’s ambitious plan, announced last year, to phase out all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028, aiming to prioritize housing for permanent residents.
Spain has struggled with a housing shortage since a construction bubble burst over 15 years ago, with construction failing to keep pace with demand. Official data shows approximately 321,000 homes with holiday rental licenses in Spain as of November last year, a 15% increase from 2020, with many more operating without official licenses.
The Consumer Rights Ministry launched a probe into Airbnb in December. An Airbnb spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In December, the company said it always asked hosts to confirm they have permission to rent their places and abide by all local rules. The company also said that the ministry had failed to provide lists of non-compliant accommodation, and that many owners do not need a licence to rent out their property. The company said the ministry did not have the authority to make rulings over short-term rentals and was disregarding court rulings specifying that Airbnb was a digital, not a real estate company.
The government’s aggressive stance signals a broader effort to regulate the short-term rental market and alleviate the strain on the Spanish property market, as housing affordability continues to be a pressing concern for citizens.
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