Britons looking to vacation in Spain are urged to double-check their accommodation reservations as a crackdown on unlicensed properties is underway, leading to tens of thousands of closures.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda in Spain has pinpointed 86,275 illegal vacation and short-term rental units listed on various online platforms, instructing for their immediate removal as of Monday. This directive comes after the launch of a unified registry for short-term rentals six months ago.
Among the regions affected, Andalucía, including Seville, Málaga, and Granada, tops the list with 21,872 properties facing removal, followed by the Valencian Community with 14,387 violations. The Canary Islands rank third, with 13,726 properties at risk of closure due to lacking proper tourist or temporary rental permits.
This development raises concerns for British tourists, as about six million of the 16 million annual visitors to the archipelago are from the UK. Furthermore, Barcelona alone has approximately 5,000 holiday rentals operating without the necessary documentation.
While no specific online rental platform has been singled out by the government, Airbnb, a key player in the market, could be impacted. In a previous incident last year, Spain directed Airbnb to eliminate over 65,000 holiday rental listings.
By eliminating thousands of illegal listings, the government aims to see these properties reenter the long-term rental market, potentially easing pressure in high-demand areas. Spain’s proactive approach in implementing EU regulations underscores the importance of this action.
Nevertheless, travel expert Zoe Adjey warns that this transition could lead to reduced accommodation choices and higher prices for holidaymakers. Zoe, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality at UEL, highlights that popular tourist destinations like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga might experience the most significant impact due to stricter enforcement measures.
For those who have booked an Airbnb in Spain, swift action is advised. Zoe recommends contacting your host promptly to confirm compliance status and conducting verification checks as necessary.
Airbnb and Booking.com have been contacted for comments on the situation.
