Why is Spain cracking down on short term rentals?

Barcelona has taken the lead in restricting local tourist rentals. In June 2024 Mayor Jaume Collboni announced that the city would eliminate licenses for all 10,000 registered short-term apartments by November 2028. The plan builds on years of enforcement: no new licenses have been issued since 2023, and the city has already shut down over 9,700 illegal lets, reclaiming around 3,500 homes for long term use.