Fact Check: Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from its platform in May 2025 for violating local rules.

Fact Check: "Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from its platform in May 2025 for violating local rules."

What We Know

In May 2025, the Spanish government mandated that Airbnb remove approximately 65,935 holiday rental listings from its platform. This action was taken by the Consumer Rights Ministry, which stated that many of these listings did not comply with local regulations. Specifically, the listings either lacked a required license number, had incorrect license numbers, or failed to specify whether the property was owned by an individual or a corporation (AP News, New York Times).

The crackdown on Airbnb listings is part of a broader effort by the Spanish government to address a housing crisis that has been exacerbated by the proliferation of short-term rentals. Many residents have protested against rising housing costs, which they attribute to the impact of vacation rentals on the housing market (BBC, Reuters).

The government indicated that the first phase of the removal process would involve the immediate withdrawal of 5,800 listings, with additional orders to follow until the total of nearly 66,000 was reached (US News, Skift).

Analysis

The claim that Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Consumer Rights Ministry's announcement was widely reported across major news outlets, including the Associated Press, New York Times, and BBC, all of which confirmed the government's rationale for the removals based on violations of local rental regulations (AP News, New York Times, BBC).

The sources also highlight the context of the decision, noting that Spain is facing a significant housing affordability crisis, which has led to widespread protests against the impact of short-term rentals on local housing markets. The government's actions are framed as part of a larger initiative to prioritize housing rights over economic interests from tourism (Reuters, DJCOregon).

Airbnb's response to the order, indicating its intention to appeal the decision, adds another layer to the narrative, suggesting ongoing legal and regulatory battles between the platform and local authorities (New York Times, Skift).

Overall, the sources used in this analysis are reputable and provide a comprehensive view of the situation, making them reliable for understanding the implications of the government's order.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals in May 2025 for violating local rules is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the government took this action in response to non-compliance with local regulations amid a housing crisis, thereby validating the claim.

Fact Check: Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from its platform in May 2025 for violating local rules.