Spain’s government has ordered the removal of over 65,000 illicit advertisements on the popular tourist rental platform Airbnb. The move aims to balance the lucrative sector with a worsening housing crisis. Authorities claim that many ads failed to provide required information, such as license numbers.
The consumer rights ministry cited 65,935 adverts as breaching advertising rules for short-term rentals. This includes failure to disclose whether hosts are professionals or private individuals and providing incorrect license numbers. A Madrid court has backed the government’s request, urging Airbnb to immediately withdraw 5,800 ads.
Airbnb disputed the methodology used by the ministry, calling it “indiscriminate” and criticizing its competence in enforcing tourist accommodation rules. The company plans to continue appealing the decision.
Source: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2025/05/19/spain-orders-airbnb-to-remove-over-65-000-tourist-rental-ads_6741428_143.html