The sanction was imposed at the end of 2025 by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Protection. The reason why Airbnb lost was massive violations related to listings on the platform, reports huffingtonpost.es
According to the authorities, it was about tens of thousands of rental offers that did not meet the requirements of the law. In particular, in 2025, Spanish regulators stated their intention to remove more than 65 thousand ads from the platform.
How the multi-million dollar finewas calculated
The size of the sanction is not accidental. The authorities estimated that 64 million euros is about six times the amount of profit generated by the controversial placements. This approach is used as a deterrent measure: the fine should not only compensate for the violations, but also prevent them from recurring.
At the same time, the current stage of the trial did not concern the essence of the main case. The court only considered a motion to freeze the fine for the duration of the trial – and rejected it. The main hearings are still to come.
Rental market under pressure
It is clear that Spain is increasing pressure on the short-term rental market. This is due to the growing housing crisis, especially in major cities and tourist regions. Authorities believe that platforms such as Airbnb are contributing to rising housing prices and reducing the available stock for locals.
The company, for its part, has tried to improve relations with the government by investing in the development of sparsely populated areas and abandoned villages. However, the regulatory line remains tight.
Tightening controls are already affecting the market. In particular, restrictions on room rentals have reduced the supply of the most affordable housing.
The dispute between Airbnb and Spanish authorities is ongoing, and its outcome could affect the regulation of short-term rentals across Europe.
