In a major regulatory crackdown, the Spanish government has imposed a hefty fine of 64 million euros (approximately $75 million) on the holiday rental giant Airbnb. The penalty, announced on Monday 15 December 2025, was levied for the platform's advertisement of unlicensed tourist accommodations across the country.
The Core of the Violation
According to Spain's consumer rights ministry, the violations were clear-cut. A significant number of listings on Airbnb's platform failed to include the mandatory license numbers required by many Spanish regions. In other cases, the license numbers provided did not match official records held by the authorities. The ministry also noted that some advertisements contained incorrect information about the property hosts themselves.
A Broader Crackdown on Short-Term Lets
This substantial fine is not an isolated event but the latest salvo in an escalating campaign by Spanish authorities against major short-term rental platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com. The action is set against the backdrop of a severe housing affordability crisis gripping Spain, particularly in sought-after city centres and tourist hotspots where residents are being priced out.
The leftist government in Madrid, with support from across the political spectrum, views the business models of these companies as a primary driver of soaring housing costs. This sentiment was echoed by Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy, who stated, "There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes."
Previous Actions and Industry Response
This enforcement follows a direct order from the same ministry in May 2025, which compelled Airbnb to remove around 65,000 listings that were found to be in breach of local rules. The latest multi-million euro penalty signals a significant ramping up of regulatory pressure.
When contacted for a statement regarding the fine announced on Monday, Airbnb declined to comment. The move underscores the growing tension between global digital rental platforms and national governments seeking to protect local housing markets and enforce regional tourism regulations.
