It’s a new agreement between the destination and the rental company.
The Spanish island of Ibiza and short-term rental company Airbnb have reached an agreement to crack down on illegal rentals, including caravans, boats, tents, and yurts. Island authorities aim to remove unauthorized listings from the platform amid a worsening housing crisis.
Calling it a “historic” and “unprecedented” agreement, the Consell d’Eivissa said it would collaborate with Airbnb and tourist accommodation associations to address rentals operating outside legal boundaries. The move is intended to enhance the quality of tourism while promoting environmental and social sustainability, The Independent reported.
Airbnb has committed to working with the council, and so far, 300 accommodations have been removed from the platform. Under the agreement, listings that fail to meet local and company guidelines or are not registered with the council are removed without discussion or appeal to prevent delays.
Council leader Vincent Marí thanked Airbnb for its efforts, and the company said it shared a common interest in ensuring the island remains a high-quality destination.
Housing Crisis and Overtourism
Tourism accounts for more than 80% of Ibiza’s GDP. Known for its nightlife and parties, the island has struggled to keep up with its growing popularity. The influx of tourists has outpriced locals in the housing market, forcing many to live in their cars or leave the island altogether.
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To combat overtourism, Ibiza has also placed limits on cruise ships. Last year, officials introduced a policy allowing only two ships to dock at the same time. Authorities are considering further scheduling measures to prevent overcrowding. The mayor warned that allowing more than two ships at once could overwhelm port and transportation services. More than two ships can cause port and transport services to collapse, he said, and the “lack of planning affects both the residents, who suffer this saturation at the time of arrival and tourists who take a bad image of their stay.”
Spain’s Ongoing Housing Struggles
The impact of overtourism extends beyond Ibiza. In cities like Barcelona and Tenerife, rising housing costs have forced residents to sleep in their cars or relocate. Barcelona has implemented a policy to phase out short-term rentals by 2028, aiming to return properties to the local housing market. The city currently has 10,000 licensed vacation rentals, and rent prices have surged more than 60% in the past decade. A teacher confessed to flying every day for work because of the cost of housing. Karla Andrade lives in Mallorca and takes 40 flights in a month to get to work in Ibiza, she told Spanish television channel Atena 3.
Tourists have also outpriced locals in Barcelona and Tenerife, resulting in a grim housing crisis forcing people to sleep in their cars or leave their cities altogether. Last year, Barcelona also introduced a new policy to phase out short-term rentals by 2028. The city will stop giving licenses to properties to bring back rentals onto the market for locals. There are currently 10,000 vacation rentals licensed by the city and rents have shot up more than 60% in a decade
The severity of the situation has led to several Spanish destinations appearing on Fodor’s No List 2025, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable tourism solutions.
Related: Summer’s Over But Spain’s Overtourism Problem Is Far From Gone
