Spain's crackdown on illegal Airbnbs: A closer look at unlicensed tourist lets

Spain's Consumer Affairs Ministry has recently intensified efforts to regulate the short-term rental market, ordering Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings that breach housing laws. This significant move highlights the ongoing challenges posed by unlicensed tourist accommodations throughout the country.

The ministry's directive specifically targets 65,935 advertisements for tourist accommodations deemed non-compliant with established regulations. Reports suggest that this action could impact nearly 20 percent of the total Airbnb listings across Spain. Initially, the crackdown will focus on regions including Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country.

The origins of these regulatory measures can be traced back to rulings issued at the end of the previous year, which affected approximately 5,800 homes in various regions. Although these rulings were upheld by the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid, Airbnb filed an appeal in May, leading to the final decision now being enforced.

One of the most prevalent violations involves the absence of a required tourist license on property advertisements. Such licenses are essential in several regions and signify compliance with local regulations. Properties lacking this documentation may face restrictions due to factors such as inadequate separate entrances, local opposition, or their location in historically significant areas where licenses are no longer issued.

Airbnb has emerged as a dominant player in the short-term rental market not only in Spain but globally. While it has become a focal point for Spain's anti-tourism movement, it is important to note that it is merely one of many companies operating in the holiday rental sector.

Where are Spain's unlicensed tourist properties?

According to a study by tourism think tank Mabrian for the Spanish hospitality website HostelTur, around 400,000 tourist apartments operate in Spain, with approximately 38 percent advertised online without proper licensing information.

Regional disparities are stark, revealing significant variations in compliance across the country. Some regions have implemented strict measures against unlicensed accommodations, while others exhibit a concerning lack of enforcement, with over 80 percent of properties listed without appropriate licenses.

Highest proportion of Airbnbs advertised without licenses

The provinces of Spain displaying the highest proportions of unlicensed properties are as follows:

Albacete: 86.8 percent

Madrid: 86.5 percent

Ciudad Real: 77.1 percent

Guadalajara: 75.8 percent

Cuenca: 73.1 percent

Cantabria: 72.6 percent

Valencia: 70.3 percent

Navarre: 69.8 percent

Pontevedra: 69.1 percent

Valladolid: 67.9 percent

Madrid, with its long-standing reputation for deregulation, ranks second highest in the nation for unlicensed tourist flats. Although precise total numbers are elusive, it is reasonable to infer that Madrid harbors the largest absolute number of such accommodations.

Interestingly, central and northern provinces, with the exception of Catalonia, show higher rates of unlicensed properties compared to southern regions. Notably, the Balearic Islands feature a significant 67.8 percent of ads lacking tourist license information, while Alicante, which hosts a considerable number of tourist flats, reports 56.8 percent of listings without this crucial detail.

Lowest proportion of Airbnbs advertised without licenses

Conversely, the provinces with the lowest proportions of unlicensed properties are predominantly located in southern Spain. These areas, particularly Catalonia and Andalusia, have been at the forefront of anti-tourism initiatives and exhibit more effective enforcement of accommodation regulations.

The provinces with the lowest percentages of unlicensed properties include:

Lleida: 5.8 percent

Girona: 4.0 percent

Tarragona: 4.0 percent

Granada: 1.8 percent

Huelva: 1.7 percent

Cádiz: 1.6 percent

Sevilla: 1.6 percent

Jaén: 1.5 percent

Córdoba: 1.2 percent

Málaga: 1.2 percent

Almería: 1.1 percent

The data suggests that local governments in these regions are more proactive in enforcing regulations governing tourist accommodations, indicating a stronger commitment to managing the impacts of tourism on local housing markets.

As Spain confronts the complexities of its burgeoning tourist rental market, the recent crackdown on illegal Airbnbs represents a critical step toward ensuring compliance and safeguarding local communities.