Spain fined Airbnb 64 million euros, or 9.7 billion Kenyan shillings. The penalty targets ads for tourist homes without licenses. The Consumer Rights Ministry shared this news on Monday. Officials aim to fight heavy tourism that hikes housing prices.
Spain’s left-leaning government teams up with city councils and regional leaders. They want to cut back on short-term rentals listed on Airbnb and Booking.com. Locals often point to these sites as the cause of fewer homes for residents and higher rents.
Airbnb pulled 65,000 listings in July. Ministry officials called them rule breakers.
The fine matches six times the profit from those illegal ads. A ministry note explained this. It’s the second-highest penalty for consumer rights violations. Minister Pablo Bustinduy shared that detail with reporters.
Airbnb plans to fight the fine in court. A spokesperson said the ministry’s steps break Spain’s laws.
Short-term rental rules shifted in July. Airbnb works with the Housing Ministry on a fresh registration setup. More than 70,000 listings now carry registration numbers since January. The firm noted that.
Spain hit Ryanair with a 108 million euro fine in 2024. It stemmed from added fees for cabin bags.
The European Commission ruled this year that Spain’s penalties on Ryanair and other cheap airlines went against rules.
Ministry leaders say the Airbnb fine helps ease Spain’s housing woes. Thousands of families scrape by due to high costs. Yet some profit big from rental models that force locals out. Bustinduy made that point.
