Barcelona Council forces Airbnb to remove 2,500 illegal tourist listings following sustained regulatory pressure.
The platform, which hosts 99% of the city’s tourist-focused accommodation, withdrew the advertisements after action from the administration of Mayor Jaume Collboni.
Deputy Mayor for Housing, Jordi Valls, confirmed the development during a council economy committee meeting.
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He described the move as a slight shift in attitude from the company, though he stopped short of declaring victory.
Barcelona Council Forces Airbnb Compliance After Years of Tension
“We are not extraordinarily satisfied, but they are changing their attitude a little,” Valls stated. This action marks the latest chapter in a long-running conflict between the city government and the short-term rental giant.
Mayor Collboni has recently hardened his stance against tourist apartments, particularly those operating without proper licences. Consequently, the council has conducted 18,856 inspections during this mandate, opening 1,727 disciplinary procedures related to unlicensed shared housing and covert guesthouses.
Furthermore, the administration maintains its goal of eradicating all tourist flats by 2028 if it remains in power. This policy has created constant tension with Airbnb over advertisement regulation.
Industry Calls for Exceptions Meet Firm Rejection
Meanwhile, the local hotel industry has requested some exceptions to the blanket ban. During an event last October, the Barcelona Hotel Guild, led by Jordi Clos, asked the council to consider maintaining tourist apartments located in vertical properties.
Clos argued these have a similar impact to hotels and cause fewer disturbances than isolated flats in residential buildings. However, the council rejected this proposal outright. Deputy Mayor Valls firmly denied any possibility of exceptions, insisting all tourist flats must return to the residential market.
This crackdown forms part of a broader strategy to address Barcelona’s housing crisis. The city recently secured a €113 million loan to build 640 new homes, demonstrating its commitment to increasing residential supply. Additionally, as rental prices in the city continue to surge, alternatives in surrounding areas like Terrassa and L’Hospitalet are becoming increasingly popular.
The council’s aggressive enforcement, therefore, represents a multi-pronged approach to reclaiming housing for residents. By forcing Airbnb to remove thousands of illegal listings, Barcelona Council forces a significant shift in the local accommodation landscape.
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