Holiday

Can we still go on vacation in Spain?

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Wie mij een beetje kent, weet dat ik Spanje boven alles liefheb. Elk jaar bezoek ik het land minstens één of twee keer. Maar de Spaanse regering trekt nu duidelijk de teugels aan. Sinds eind 2024 moeten toeristen hun identiteitsgegevens bij hotels, autoverhuurbedrijven en campings achterlaten. En nu dwingt de Spaanse regering Airbnb om maar liefst 66.000 advertenties van hun platform te verwijderen. Kunnen we binnenkort überhaupt nog naar Spanje reizen?

<h3>Spain: Sun, Sangria and… Housing Crisis?</h3> When we think of Spain, we might think of Andalusia, Seville, beach days in Mallorca or parties in Ibiza. But this great country has a dark side besides the sun: a massive housing crisis. Affordable rental apartments have become a rarity, especially in popular cities. And tourism – more specifically: the out-of-control vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb – plays a huge role in this. <h3>66,000 fewer Airbnb listings: Spain's big cleanup</h3> The Spanish government has cleaned up on Airbnb. A total of 66,000 listings were deleted. Most of these apartments did not comply with local laws and only exacerbated the housing crisis. It is the strictest action against tourist rentals that Spain has ever seen. And to be honest? It was probably really time for it. <h3>Barcelona: from dream city to ghost town</h3> The residents of Barcelona are overjoyed with this development. There are really enough hotels. What is missing, however, are affordable apartments for ordinary people. Neighborhoods where children used to play and older people sat on benches have become Airbnb areas, where rolling suitcases rattle over the cobblestones early in the morning. Housing is a basic right. Not a business model for real estate sharks. <h3>Why this can (and must) become a trend</h3> The Spanish Minister of Consumer Affairs put it succinctly: <em>„No economic interest should be more important than the right to housing.“</em> And to be honest: This applies not only to Spain. Cities like Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, and even Berlin are struggling with the same problem. A Dutch reader put it aptly: <blockquote><strong>„This should apply to all countries facing a housing crisis.“</strong></blockquote> <h3>The future of your vacation: Hotel or Hostel?</h3> Okay, does this mean that you can no longer book a city trip to Barcelona &amp; Valencia at all? Absolutely not. But you should expect fewer affordable Airbnb options. Instead, choose a legally registered vacation apartment or a classic hotel. There are plenty of those. <h3>Here's what people think about it</h3> <strong>„I come from Barcelona and I am soooo glad that the government is finally doing something about these tourist apartments. There are really enough hotels. Please let people live where they were born.“</strong> – <em>Lucía, 34</em> <strong>„This should apply to all countries facing a housing crisis.“</strong> – <em>Anne, Amsterdam</em>

<strong>„Natuurlijk is het jammer dat we niet meer in die ene gezellige Airbnb-accommodatie kunnen slapen, maar eerlijk gezegd: het is uit de hand gelopen. Deze steden zijn geen decor voor toeristen - daar wonen echte mensen.“</strong> – <em>Tom, Spanje-stamgast</em>

<strong>„I rented out my apartment through Airbnb. It was good money, yes. But when I heard that my neighbor had to move out because her apartment was sold to an investor, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.“</strong> – <em>Mark, Málaga</em>

<strong>„That's why I love Europe! The residents come first. Every thought revolves around improving their lives.“</strong> – <em>Sophie, Rotterdam</em>

<h3>Is this really the end of Airbnb in Spain?</h3> Probably not. But it will change. Stricter rules, more control, and hopefully: more balance. Tourists are welcome – but please without taking over the cities. And to be honest, I completely agree with that. <!– Permalink-Vorschlag: koennen-wir-bald-noch-nach-spanien-reisen –>