In its announcement dated 15 December 2025, the ministry said it had fined Airbnb 64,055,311 euros for listing tourist accommodation “without a licence, among other reasons,” and stated that the decision is firm and exhausts the administrative route. Some media reports referred to the move as a 68 million euros ine, but the ministry’s stated figure is 64,055,311 euros.
According to the ministry, the case concerns 65,122 ads on the platform that were deemed non-compliant. It said that, in many Spanish regions, advertising unlicensed tourist apartments is illegal because listings must display the licence number.
Alongside the financial penalty, the sanction requires Airbnb to modify incorrectly published ads, withdraw unlicensed listings, and publicly announce the imposed fine, according to the ministry.
The ministry also stated that the fine amount represents six times what it described as the “illegal” profit generated during the period after Airbnb was notified of the sanction while the ads were being withdrawn.
In a written statement, Spain’s Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy said: “There are thousands of families living at their limit due to the housing crisis, while some are becoming richer with businesses that force people out of their homes.” He added: “In Spain, not a single company, regardless of how big and powerful it is, can be above the law.”
For travel trade professionals selling or packaging accommodation in Spain, the announcement underscores the operational importance of verifying short-term rental compliance – particularly licence-number visibility and the accuracy of listing information – when working with platforms, property managers, or alternative accommodation inventory.
Tags: Airbnb Spain Pablo Bustinduy
