The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and 2030 Agenda has intensified its crackdown on illegal tourist rental listings on platforms like Airbnb. Following three prior resolutions, the courts have upheld the ministry’s stance: the High Court of Madrid dismissed Airbnb’s appeal against the initial order, which demanded the removal of 5,800 listings in six autonomous regions (Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Balearic Islands, and Basque Country).
Backed by this judicial ruling, the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs has ordered Airbnb Ireland — responsible for European operations — to block 65,935 listings identified as illegal. Violations include:
1. Missing license or registration numbers, mandatory in several regions.
2. Failure to disclose the legal status of hosts (private individual or business), crucial for determining consumer rights.
3. Use of fake license numbers, which could mislead users.
The ministry emphasizes that concealing professional status allows property managers to evade responsibilities (e.g., providing customer service) and exploit user preference for private hosts in the "collaborative economy." Sanction proceedings are currently open against companies engaging in this practice.
This measure reinforces the government’s commitment to regulating the sector and protecting consumer rights, ensuring transparency in a rapidly growing market.
