Spain’s government has imposed a €64 million (about $75 million) fine on Airbnb for listing short-term rental properties without proper authorization, authorities announced on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.
The penalty was issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Social Rights and Agenda 2030, which determined that thousands of tourist rental listings lacked required registration numbers or displayed numbers that did not match official records. The action forms part of a broader effort to enforce rental laws and protect the domestic housing market from what many officials describe as predatory practices by large platforms.
Under Spanish regulations, hosts must display valid license or registration identifiers for properties offered as holiday accommodation. The ministry found that many of the more than 65,000 listings in question did not meet this requirement, while others included incorrect information about hosts or property status. As a result, the government concluded that Airbnb had engaged in misleading advertising and unfair commercial practices under national consumer laws.
Company’s Response and Legal Context
Airbnb indicated that it intends to challenge the fine in court and is contesting the penalty’s legal basis. In a statement, the company said that it has been working with Spanish authorities to comply with the country’s new national registry system for short-term rentals. Airbnb also noted that since January 2025, more than 70,000 properties on its platform have added registration numbers, suggesting progress toward compliance.
The sanction is subject to judicial appeal, and Airbnb’s legal team has signaled that it will pursue all available avenues in Spain’s court system. The company maintains that it has acted in good faith and that it has collaborated with regulators to address outstanding issues. Airbnb’s position reflects broader tensions between tech-enabled rental marketplaces and governments seeking stricter oversight of shared-economy services.
Broader Enforcement Amid Housing and Tourism Pressures
The fine against Airbnb is one of several recent enforcement measures Spain has taken in response to concerns about housing availability and overtourism. Officials argue that the proliferation of short-term rentals in major cities and highly visited regions has exacerbated housing shortages and pushed up rental prices for residents. Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy has emphasized that the government’s focus is on defending housing rights for local families, many of whom face limited options amid rising living costs.
In 2024, Spain’s competition authority levied a €413 million fine on Booking.com for what regulators described as abuses of market dominance, marking another front in the government’s regulatory push. In addition, local governments, particularly in Barcelona, have pursued policies that aim to reduce the number of properties available for short-term tourist rentals in order to preserve housing stock for long-term residents. Barcelona authorities, for example, plan to phase out approximately 10,000 licensed short-term rental units by 2028.
These moves occur against a backdrop of broader public debate and civic action in Spain. Over the past two years, overtourism protests have taken place in cities and regions such as the Balearic and Canary Islands and Barcelona, with residents decrying the effects of mass tourism on local communities, living costs, and quality of life. Activists and housing advocates have called for tighter controls on tourist accommodations and greater protections for residents who struggle amid inflated housing markets.
Enforcement Scope and Future Implications
The Spanish government’s ruling against Airbnb is reportedly one of the largest consumer protection fines ever imposed in the country, second only to a €108 million penalty levied against airline Ryanair in 2024 for charging excessive cabin bag fees. The decision also carries accessory sanctions that require Airbnb to remove illegal listings and correct compliance deficiencies on its platform.
Authorities have stressed that the measure underscores a broader message to digital platforms: that they must adhere to national laws governing rentals and consumer protection. The case is likely to influence future regulatory approaches to short-term rentals, both within Spain and in other European jurisdictions grappling with similar housing and tourism pressures. Observers will be watching how the judicial challenge unfolds and whether national regulations tighten further in response to ongoing housing market concerns.
