The approximately 800 Airbnb list of illegal tourist apartments in Barcelona was not removed in the first quarter of this year. Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet is considering measures to get to the bottom of the issue, and has stated that the platform has not responded to requests to remove the list as it once did and has accused him of being a “co-incident” for illegal activities in the city.
As the situation continued to grow and caused housing disruption, Bonnett called for all agencies that could gather together to stop this activity that “avoids and contradicts” regulations. She emphasized that each illegal tourist apartment doubles on the right to access the home, and that all possible tools are needed to combat this situation.
It became a disadvantageous process as Airbnb does not respond to requests to delete listings. This is because they encourage them to engage in activities that not only violate the joint dynamics they have had up until now, but also cause obstacles and affect fundamental rights such as housing.
The Council has decided not to renew its license to eliminate legal tourist apartments and organize things as it keeps its eye on 2028. The deputy mayor added that it is not only behind these lists, but also a mafia group seeking to avoid housing restrictions in the Catalonian capital.
Barcelona Mayor Juame Collboni will meet with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky about Airbnb's restrictions on the ban on advertising flats without a tourism license. Corboni also confirms its decision not to renew its tourist licenses in November 2028.
According to Collboni, assigning potential housing to tourist accommodations in cities like Barcelona is “a mistake” and “no point.” He added that the platform economy that has driven companies like Uber and Airbnb is “one of the worst phenomena” of recent years. In this regard, the mayor defended the government's decision not to renew tourist flat licenses at the end of 2028, claiming that these homes would move into the housing market. Regarding tourists who will no longer be staying at these flats, he has ensured that adequate hotel accommodations are available and that there are no plans to increase these spaces at this time.
