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

Fact Check: Spain's Government Ordered Airbnb to Remove Nearly 66,000 Holiday Rentals

What We Know

In May 2025, the Spanish government mandated that Airbnb remove approximately 66,000 holiday rental listings from its platform. This action was taken by the Consumer Rights Ministry, which stated that many of these listings either lacked proper licensing, contained incorrect license numbers, or did not clarify whether the property was owned by an individual or a corporation (AP News, BBC). The crackdown is part of a broader effort to address Spain's housing affordability crisis, which has been exacerbated by the proliferation of short-term rentals (New York Times, Reuters).

The Consumer Minister, Pablo Bustinduy, emphasized that the government aims to prioritize housing rights over economic interests, stating, "no economic interest takes precedence over the right to housing" (Euronews). The ministry had previously notified Airbnb of the noncompliant listings, and a Madrid court ruling supported the government's order, leading to the immediate removal of 5,800 listings, with plans for further removals (USA Today, Spanish Property Insight).

Analysis

The claim that Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 holiday rentals is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The AP News and BBC reports detail the specific reasons for the removals, including violations of local regulations regarding licensing and ownership disclosure. The consistency across these articles indicates a high level of reliability in the reporting.

The New York Times and Reuters further corroborate these claims by providing additional context about the legal backing for the government's actions and the ongoing housing crisis in Spain. The involvement of the Madrid court adds a layer of legal authority to the government's order, enhancing the credibility of the claim.

Airbnb's response, which includes plans to appeal the decision, suggests that the company disputes the findings but does not negate the fact that the government has issued the order. The company's assertion that it is a "neutral intermediary" and not responsible for the listings does not diminish the government's regulatory authority (BBC, Euronews).

Conclusion

The claim that Spain's government ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 holiday rentals for violating local rules is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that this action is part of a broader initiative to address housing issues in Spain, supported by legal rulings and government statements.

Sources

1. Spain orders Airbnb to block nearly 66,000 holiday rental listings over ...
2. Spain clamps down on Airbnb as tourism backlash returns for summer - BBC
3. Spain Orders Airbnb to Take Down 66000 Rental Listings
4. Spain blocks more than 65,000 Airbnb holiday rental listings
5. Spain orders removal of more than 65,000 Airbnb tourist rentals it says ...
6. Spain blocks more than 65,000 Airbnb listings across country - USA TODAY
7. Spain takes on rental company, aims to protect housing rights
8. Spain orders Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 "illegal" holiday rental ...