Spain’s Top Court Voids National Short-Term Rental Registry

Key Points

• Spain's Supreme Court voided a national registry for short-term rental hosts, citing lack of central government authority over regional regulations.
• The decision follows major fines and removal orders against Airbnb for unlicensed listings, as Spain intensifies its crackdown on short-term rentals.
• Short-term rental listings in Spain and Ibiza have declined, while cities like Barcelona plan to phase out all short-term rentals by 2029 amid rising housing costs.

Summary

Spain's Supreme Court has invalidated a national registry requirement for short-term rental hosts, ruling that the central government overstepped its authority given existing regional regulations. The decision comes amidst a broader government crackdown on platforms like Airbnb, including significant fines for unlicensed listings and orders to remove thousands of properties. As housing costs have surged, Spain has seen a decline in short-term rental listings, and cities such as Barcelona are moving to eliminate them entirely by 2029.