Airbnb Spain backlash, housing policy and what international owners in Spain need to know next…

Airbnb Spain is back in the spotlight… and not necessarily in a good way.

The Spanish government has ordered the removal of nearly 66,000 listings for breaching tourism housing laws. 

In regions like Madrid, Catalonia and the Balearics, compliance is tightening fast. 

And that’s before the summer protests really heat up.

But here’s the bit that matters to international owners:

You don’t need to be running an Airbnb to get caught in this dragnet.

Spain’s property compliance rules are evolving, fast. Whether you rent short-term, long-term, or not at all, the requirements for registration, tax status, and licence clarity are growing more complex. 

And enforcement isn’t theoretical. Fines can be steep. Investigations can be retrospective. And most clients don’t even realise they’re exposed until it’s too late.

I’m seeing it firsthand, expats and international investors getting blindsided by things like:

• Not registering correctly with the local Ayuntamiento

• Misunderstanding VAT obligations on tourist lets

• Missing out on Beckham regime eligibility because of property income

• Or simply assuming Spanish compliance works like it does in the UK or US

It doesn’t.

If you’re renting, or thinking of renting, property in Spain, make sure you’re not relying on old advice. 

The system has moved on. And the Spanish tax office is becoming less forgiving by the year.

Need a second opinion?