The new agreement will see ‘flagrantly’ illegal properties taken down from the website, with the decision treated as ‘final and unappealable’
Ibiza and Airbnb have made a historic agreement (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A landmark agreement has been signed between Airbnb and the Spanish island of Ibiza, in a bid to tackle illegal tourist accommodation. The deal will see ‘blatantly’ unlawful properties, including caravans, tents, yurts and boats, removed from the platform without any room for discussion or appeal.
This move is aimed at avoiding expensive legal delays in cracking down on illegal holiday rentals. In just the first fortnight of the agreement’s enforcement, over 300 adverts have already been taken down. Any users who break the law could also face being completely blocked from Airbnb.
Currently, there are around 100 open cases in Ibiza, a figure expected to double with the new measures in place. The tourism agreement was signed by Vicent Mari, Ibiza’s council leader, and Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, Airbnb’s Spanish director, following a year of widespread protests against the impact of short-term lets on the local housing supply.
“Airbnb has chosen Ibiza to establish their fight against the intrusion of tourist flats,” said Mr Mari. “The island is small but a big player in Spain’s tourism industry,” according to The Olive Press.
Mr Santiago expressed his hope that Ibiza would be the “first of many” councils to work with Airbnb, stating: “This is the start of a long relationship.”
The council stated that the agreement will guarantee the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the island, while also enhancing tourism quality, reports the Mirror. Mr Mari described the agreement as a significant milestone in their five-year plan to tackle the island’s unchecked supply.
In recent years, short-term holiday rentals, including Airbnb properties, have faced growing criticism from locals in Spain. Ibiza, a hotspot for British tourists drawn to its vibrant club scene and picturesque beaches, has been particularly affected.
Last June, Barcelona announced a citywide ban on short-term rentals, including Airbnb and Booking.com, by November 2028. Mayor Jaume Collboni cited over 10,000 apartments registered as tourist rentals and plans to halt license issuance, releasing many properties onto the open market.
At the time, he emphasized the need to address Barcelona’s housing shortage, stating: “We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem. More supply of housing is needed, and the measures we’re presenting are to provide more supply so that the working middle class does not have to leave the city because they can’t afford housing.
“This measure will not change the situation from one day to the next. These problems take time. But with this measure we are marking a turning point.”
