Barcelona’s long-running struggle with unregulated tourist accommodation is far from over. The city’s tourist flat association, Apartur, has revealed that more than 3,000 rooms are being let out illegally for short stays, despite a ban introduced under former mayor Ada Colau.
Enrique Alcántara, president of Apartur, explained that only one person in the city holds a legal licence to rent out rooms in their flat for stays under 31 days. Yet, online platforms remain flooded with adverts for such rentals, many of which are tied to clandestine guesthouse operations.
According to the association, organised groups are exploiting the loophole by renting spacious flats, partitioning them with plasterboard, and then subletting rooms at scale. These operations not only undermine licensed tourist flats but also intensify housing pressures for residents.
To combat the problem, Apartur has set up a digital platform where residents can anonymously report suspected illegal lets. The association has pledged to pass all complaints on to the city council for enforcement.
Although City Hall has made strides in reducing illegal listings in recent years, Apartur insists much work remains, warning that Barcelona continues to serve as a magnet for unlawful and poorly regulated tourist accommodation.
With tourism still central to Barcelona’s economy, the proliferation of illegal rooms poses a major challenge for housing policy, fair competition, and the city’s reputation as a regulated destination.
