More than 80% of the listings are in the Madrid region, as Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry warns two accommodation platforms they could face investigations if the adverts remain available.
Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda has asked two accommodation platforms to remove 8,318 listings advertised as seasonal rentals, alleging that the properties are being offered in breach of recently amended housing rules.
The listings reportedly advertise seasonal accommodation while allowing bookings of less than 31 days. The ministry says this conflicts with the minimum duration established for this type of rental contract under the government’s recently approved housing decree.
The two platforms have not been named.
According to the ministry, the advertisements could constitute misleading commercial practices because they present accommodation as seasonal rentals while allowing stays shorter than the legal minimum.
The government has asked both platforms to remove the adverts or block access to them. It has warned that failure to comply could lead to an investigation by the consumer affairs department.
Madrid accounts for 81% of the listings
The majority of the listings identified by the ministry are located in the Madrid region.
Of the 8,318 advertisements, 6,772 — approximately 81% — concern properties in the region. Of those, 6,523 are located in Madrid city.
The figures indicate that the alleged breaches are heavily concentrated in the Spanish capital and its surrounding region.
The ministry’s action follows the approval of Royal Decree-Law 29/2026, which the Spanish Cabinet approved in October. The legislation amended the urban tenancies framework and introduced measures affecting the availability of short-term and seasonal rental accommodation.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said the regulation was intended to prevent practices that it believes are contributing to Spain’s housing crisis.
The latest action focuses on advertisements that classify accommodation as seasonal rentals while permitting bookings of fewer than 31 days. The ministry considers this combination inconsistent with the amended rules.
The allegations relate to the listings identified by the department. The platforms have not been identified in the report, and the ministry’s request does not by itself establish that every listing has been found unlawful through a final legal decision.
Spain increases pressure on accommodation platforms
The latest request forms part of a wider effort by the Spanish government to address accommodation listings that it considers inconsistent with housing and consumer-protection rules.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has previously taken action against major online accommodation platforms over listings it said breached regulations.
Airbnb was fined €64 million by the Spanish government over thousands of holiday-accommodation advertisements that authorities considered unlawful. The action led to the removal of more than 65,000 listings from the platform.
Booking also removed more than 4,000 listings after receiving an official request from the ministry, according to the report.
The latest request involving 8,318 advertisements signals further scrutiny of how accommodation is classified and marketed online.
What the 31-day rule means
The dispute centres on the distinction between seasonal accommodation and shorter tourist stays.
Under the approach described by the ministry, seasonal rentals must meet a minimum duration of 31 days. Advertisements that describe a property as a seasonal rental while permitting shorter bookings may therefore fall foul of the amended rules.
The ministry argues that such listings could mislead consumers about the legal nature of the accommodation being offered.
However, the exact application of the rules depends on the final wording of the legislation and the circumstances of each rental. The government’s allegations should therefore be distinguished from a final legal determination.
Housing pressures remain a central concern
The Spanish government has framed its action as part of a broader response to housing pressures and practices it believes undermine the rules governing accommodation.
The latest case also highlights the role of online platforms in the rental market. Listings can reach large numbers of potential customers, while enforcement action may require platforms to identify and remove advertisements that authorities consider non-compliant.
For renters and people searching for accommodation, the outcome could affect which properties remain available through the platforms involved. The immediate effect will depend on whether the adverts are removed or blocked and whether the ministry proceeds with investigations.
The two platforms have not been publicly identified in the report, and no final outcome for the 8,318 listings has been confirmed.
M10news will update this report if further official information becomes available.
