The Spanish government has decided to convert approximately 53,000 tourist flats into permanent rentals, a move aimed at addressing housing shortages for families and young individuals. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez revealed this decision during a party event in Málaga, citing widespread irregularities in the management of these properties. The changes reflect a governmental push towards stabilizing the housing market by transitioning these accommodations officially from temporary tourist rentals to long-term housing solutions.
In announcing the shift, Sánchez emphasized the need for affordable housing, particularly for the younger population and new families in Spain. The Ministry of Housing is actively working to enforce this change by instructing major tourist accommodation platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com, to eliminate listings for the affected properties. This action is part of a broader strategy to regulate the rental market more effectively and ensure compliance with existing housing laws.
Airbnb responded to the government’s announcement, outlining its commitment to cooperating with local regulations and promoting sustainable growth models that honor the community’s needs. The company indicated that it has improved its compliance efforts, with about 70,000 listings now displaying the necessary registration numbers. Despite their proactive measures, Airbnb acknowledged that nearly 10 percent of the delisted properties still have active listings, which will be removed as per government directives.
The distribution of the withdrawn tourist flats shows regional disparities, with Andalusia being at the forefront, losing 16,740 registrations. Other impacted regions include the Canary Islands, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, each with significant numbers of properties removed from the tourism register. This regional breakdown underscores the varying impacts of the initiative across Spain, reflecting the specific challenges faced in different local housing markets.
The Community of Madrid presents a unique case where a vast majority of rental applications are for temporary leasing rather than tourism, indicating a potential disconnect between local housing needs and current rental practices. Key cities revealing high numbers of canceled registrations include Seville and Marbella, among others, highlighting urban areas that are particularly affected by these regulatory changes.
Overall, this initiative represents a significant policy shift intended to rectify systematic issues within the Spanish rental market. By converting holiday rentals into permanent housing, the government aims to provide more options for residents who are struggling to find affordable living spaces, thereby addressing a pressing social need amidst shifting economic conditions in Spain.
