Spain Slaps Airbnb €64 Million Fine for Unlicensed Rentals, Company to Challenge in Court

In a decisive move against short‑term rental platforms, Madrid’s government announced on Monday that it had fined Airbnb €64 million ($75 million) for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The penalty follows a broader campaign aimed at curbing the impact of companies like Airbnb and Booking.com on the country’s housing market.

The Fine and Its Basis

The consumer‑rights ministry explained that the rentals in question failed to display the required license numbers, a mandatory element in many Spanish regions. In some cases, the listings even displayed license numbers that did not match the authorities’ records. Additionally, the ministry cited incorrect information about hosts as a violation of local regulations.

The €64 million fine is the latest action in a series of enforcement steps. In May, the ministry ordered Airbnb to remove roughly 65,000 listings that breached regional rules. These measures are part of Spain’s effort to address the housing affordability crisis that has intensified in city centres.

Airbnb’s Response and Compliance Efforts

Airbnb said it will contest the fine in court. The company also stated that it is actively working with Spanish authorities to meet the requirements of a new national registration system for short‑term rentals. Since January, more than 70,000 listings on the platform have added a registration number, signalling a willingness to comply with the updated framework.

Despite the legal challenge, Airbnb’s statement underscored its cooperation with regulators and its intent to align with the country’s licensing demands.

Government and Public Opinion on Short‑Term Rentals

Spain’s left‑leaning government, along with many citizens across the political spectrum, views short‑term rental companies as contributing to the rise in housing costs. Consumer‑rights minister Pablo Bustinduy highlighted the social consequences in a Monday statement:

> “There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes,” said Bustinduy.

This sentiment reflects the broader debate over the balance between tourism revenue and the preservation of affordable housing for residents.

Related Actions and Future Plans

The anti‑trust watchdog in Spain fined Booking.com €413 million ($448 million) in 2024 for alleged abuse of its dominant market position over the previous five years. That fine further illustrates the government’s willingness to use regulatory tools to curb the influence of large online travel platforms.

Local authorities in Barcelona have announced plans to phase out all 10,000 apartments licensed for short‑term rentals by 2028. The city aims to safeguard the housing supply for its residents and prevent further displacement caused by tourism‑driven demand.

Key Takeaways

• Spain fined Airbnb €64 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals.
• Airbnb will challenge the fine and has added registration numbers to over 70,000 listings.
• The government’s actions are part of a broader effort to protect affordable housing and address the housing crisis.

The fine, combined with the recent Booking.com penalty and Barcelona’s phasing‑out plan, signals a significant shift in Spain’s regulatory approach to short‑term rentals. While Airbnb remains committed to compliance, the outcome of its legal challenge will set a precedent for how similar platforms operate across the country.

Closing

As Spain’s housing market continues to face pressure from tourism, the government’s decisive actions underscore a growing commitment to enforce licensing requirements and protect residents. The forthcoming court proceedings will determine whether Airbnb’s challenge succeeds, but the broader regulatory landscape is already poised for stricter oversight of short‑term rentals.