Irish tourists face holiday chaos as Spain drops enormous Airbnb bombshell
Irish tourists are set to be 'severely' affected by Spain's crackdown on Airbnb, as the country demands the removal of over 65,000 holiday listings from its platform.
On Monday, May 19, it was announced that approximately 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for violating strict regulation rules such as not including their licence number, failing to specify whether the owner was an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records.
While the stringent clampdown may be welcomed by locals - who argue the surge in short-term rentals is exacerbating the country's housing crisis - it could potentially wreak havoc for thousands of Irish holidaymakers. In an exclusive chat with the Mirror, travel expert Zoe Adjey warns the move could be a massive blow for Irish tourists, possibly leading to less accommodation and higher prices.
"The impact will be most severe in tourist hotspots like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga, where enforcement is strictest," said Zoe, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality at UEL. "Many unlicensed properties will vanish from platforms, while remaining listings will face stricter regulations and registration requirements. Tourists will need to adapt to this new, more regulated market," reports the Mirror.
If you've already booked an Airbnb in Spain for this year, it's crucial to act swiftly. Zoe advises getting in touch with your host 'immediately' to verify their compliance status and then carry out the following checks:
The sudden news could also cause a surge in hotel prices, particularly during peak seasons like the summer holidays. "However, Spain relies heavily on tourism revenue and competes with other Mediterranean destinations, which may help moderate extreme price increases," Zoe clarified.
"The effect will vary by location, with popular coastal areas and major cities seeing the most significant price pressure."
This decision comes just one month after Spain approved a harsh new law to control the rise of holiday rentals across the country. On April 3, an amendment to the Horizontal Property Act was passed, requiring locals who want to convert their home into an Airbnb to secure a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners.
Homeowners who are renting out their property without the 'necessary support' will now be asked to stop. If they ignore this warning, they could face legal action for 'unauthorised use'.
However, these new rules - which are part of the Organic Law 1/2025 legislation - only apply to new tourist accommodations in residential buildings and complexes. This means if a flat is already being rented out to holidaymakers, they will not need to participate in the local referendum.
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