Spain has officially rolled out a new regulatory framework targeting short-term holiday rentals, a move aimed at aligning with European standards and addressing the country's housing crisis. Effective from July 1, the mandate requires all properties listed for tourism purposes, including those on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, to obtain a mandatory registration code. This initiative seeks to clamp down on illegal accommodations and ensure compliance across the board.
According to Spain's Ministry of Housing, nearly 200,000 applications have been submitted since the registry's introduction in January, with over 90,000 already approved. The surge in applications highlights the urgency among property owners to legalize their listings, particularly in tourist-heavy regions such as Málaga, the Balearic Islands, and Barcelona. However, with more than 92,000 applications still under review, the process underscores the vast scale of Spain's short-term rental market.
The regulation comes at a time when Spain faces a severe housing shortage, with rising prices making it increasingly difficult for locals, especially the youth and vulnerable groups, to find affordable long-term housing. By implementing this registry, the government aims to restore balance to the housing market, ensuring that tourist accommodations do not exacerbate the existing crisis.
Property owners who fail to comply with the new rules risk being barred from listing their accommodations on popular rental platforms. Despite the immediate enforcement of the registration requirement, officials have clarified that the application window remains open, offering a lifeline to those yet to register. This measure represents a significant step towards regulating the booming short-term rental industry, with the dual goals of protecting residents' access to housing and maintaining Spain's status as a leading tourist destination.
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