In response to Spain’s housing crisis and protests against short-term rentals, the Consumer Rights Ministry ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 listings for lacking proper licensing or registration information. This follows a court decision upholding the ministry’s authority and is part of broader efforts to address affordability concerns exacerbated by platforms like Airbnb. Airbnb plans to appeal, arguing the ministry’s methodology was indiscriminate and that it overstepped its authority. The removal process will occur in phases, with the first phase impacting thousands of listings nationwide.
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Spain’s recent ban on “golden” investor visas for non-EU citizens is a bold move aimed at tackling the country’s escalating housing crisis. The idea behind the ban is straightforward: by restricting the influx of wealthy foreign investors who often purchase properties solely as investments, Spain hopes to free up more housing for its own citizens struggling with affordability.
However, the effectiveness of this measure is a point of much debate. Some argue that the number of properties purchased through these golden visas is relatively small – just a few hundred annually across the whole of Spain – making the ban largely symbolic and unlikely to significantly impact the housing market.… Continue reading
To address Spain’s housing crisis, the government proposes a new tax of up to 100% on properties purchased by non-EU residents, aiming to prioritize housing for Spanish citizens. This unprecedented measure, modeled after similar policies in Denmark and Canada, targets the significant number of properties acquired by non-EU buyers for investment purposes. The plan, part of a broader housing affordability initiative, also includes tax breaks for affordable housing providers, public housing expansion, and stricter regulations on short-term rentals. Further details regarding implementation and parliamentary approval remain pending.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood