After attracting a record-breaking 94 million tourists in 2024, several Spanish cities are implementing guidelines to regulate tourism rental properties.
The country is not banning tourism, but several cities are dialing back on how many “short-term rentals” will be available to tourists amid a national housing crisis.
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According to the Associated Press, tourism accounts for nearly 12% of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product but locals have raised a red flag in how its effects lead to skyrocketing housing costs.
In November 2024, AP reported tens of thousands of Spanish protestors holding signs reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living” and “The people without homes uphold their rights.”
The outlet reported rent in Spain doubled over the past decade from 7.2 euros ($7.5) per square meter in 2014 to 13 euros in 2024.
New tourism restrictions
Malaga, a port city on the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain is prohibiting the addition of new rental properties in 43 neighborhoods where rentals exceed 8% of residential housing, AP reported.
The city’s “veto on holiday homes in certain areas” went into effect Jan. 14, Spanish news outlet SUR reported.
The law aims to improve long-term access for local residents by scaling back access to real estate as short-term rentals for tourists.
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Though the law prohibits the addition of short-term rental properties, tourists can still book with Airbnb, hotels and any of the 13,000 holiday rentals already registered, according to SUR.
Barcelona also announced it would implement regulations to create more housing for full-time residents by closing down 10,000 apartments licensed short-term rentals by 2028, Reuters reported.
The mayor, Jaume Collboni said the city would not renew any short-term rental licenses as they expire.
“We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem,” Collboni said during a city government event.
He added tourism contributed to skyrocketing rent prices for locals of up to 68% in the past 10 years and the costs of buying a home rose by 38%.
How will tourists be affected?
Newsweek reported that tourists will likely face more limited and costly rental options as availability and access to short-term rentals will decrease.
While only certain areas of the country, such as Malaga and Barcelona are instituting tourism restrictions, these areas will likely see increased rental costs.
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However, tourists will still be able to visit and book their stays in Spain as usual.