• Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry has ordered Airbnb to withdraw over 65,000 listings.
• The move is part of a crackdown on holiday rentals blamed for exacerbating the housing crisis.
• Listings were primarily removed for lacking license numbers and clarity on ownership.
• Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy emphasized the need to protect housing rights over rental profits.
• Airbnb plans to appeal the decision, claiming the ministry lacks authority over short-term rentals.

In a significant regulatory action, Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday rental listings, citing violations of local laws, particularly regarding the inclusion of license numbers and the disclosure of ownership status. The crackdown aims to address concerns over a housing crisis exacerbated by the proliferation of short-term rentals, especially in popular tourist destinations like Barcelona and Madrid, according to Channel News Asia, New York Times, and Le Monde.

The ministry's action follows a public backlash against rising housing costs, with many Spaniards protesting against what they view as rental practices contributing to the unaffordability crisis. Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy stated, "Enough already with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing," highlighting the government's stance on prioritizing housing equity over short-term rental profits, as reported by Times of India and India Times.

Many of the listings targeted by this order reportedly failed to meet legal requirements, such as lacking proper licensing or providing inaccurate information about property ownership. The action aligns with a broader strategy involving local governments to tighten controls on tourism rentals, evidenced by a previous ban in Barcelona on short-term rentals slated for 2028, according to CBS News and Channel News Asia.

Airbnb has publicly expressed its intention to appeal the ministry's ruling. The company contends that it has adhered to existing regulations and that the ministry's approach has encompassed properties that do not require licenses under current law. Despite these claims, authorities are firm on the need for compliance to protect housing rights amidst critical shortages affecting many Spaniards, as noted by Reuters, India Times, and Channel News Asia.