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Spain’s consumer rights ministry ordered Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) to withdraw more than 65,000 holiday rental listings from its platform, citing violations of rules.
The move is part of a broader government crackdown on short-term rental platforms that are driving up real estate prices in popular tourist destinations such as Madrid and Barcelona.
Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy stated that the goal is to address the “lack of oversight” and “illegality” in the sector, aiming to improve housing access and protect consumer rights.
Most of the targeted listings lacked the required license numbers mandated by Spanish law. While some listings failed to specify whether the property owner was an individual or a business entity, other had license numbers that did not match official records.
Public protests have taken place in Spain, with citizens demanding action against rising rents due to the jump in short-term rentals.