Among the frequent violations detected by the Ministry were the absence of the mandatory license number in the listings, the use of false or invalid registration codes, and the omission of information about whether the lessor is a private individual or a professional—details that are essential to protecting consumer rights. According to authorities, these irregularities represent a breach of market transparency in short-term rentals and pose a risk to consumer protection.
Booking’s action follows a broader regulatory offensive by the government that has also involved Airbnb. The High Court of Justice of Madrid upheld the Ministry’s orders twice, requiring Airbnb to first remove 5,800 illegal listings and then another 60,000 non-compliant listings, totaling around 65,935 ads removed. In contrast, Airbnb had requested precautionary measures to suspend the order, which the court rejected.
This move marks a turning point in the regulation of holiday rentals in Spain. The Ministry is carrying out a strict and ongoing oversight strategy, having already issued three formal notices to platforms, and plans to intensify controls to ensure that all listings comply with local regulations. The objective is to prevent the formation of neighborhoods overrun by tourists at the expense of long-term residents.
Neighborhood organizations, housing rights associations, and some regional governments have welcomed the initiative and called for a unified national regulatory framework to avoid fragmented bureaucracy and to effectively manage the number of licenses permitted per area. For its part, Booking believes that the evolution toward more precise regulation not only benefits consumers but also provides greater legal certainty to property owners and platforms.
In a context where short-term vacation rentals have been identified as one of the main contributors to housing shortages, this measure could mark the beginning of a new, more balanced management model that respects urban communities. It remains to be seen how the most affected autonomous regions—such as Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands—will respond in terms of sanctions or additional restrictions.
Booking’s move demonstrates that, under administrative and judicial pressure, major platforms can align with public policies and collectively address the challenge of preserving accessible housing for all. If this trend continues, Spain could move toward a tourism model that combines economic growth with social rights and urban cohesion.
