Airbnb €64M Fine: Legal Compliance Guide for Vacation Rentals in Spain, Catalonia & Girona
The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs has just imposed a record-breaking €64 million fine on Airbnb for listing over 65,000 properties without valid tourism licenses. This landmark decision affects vacation rental operators across Spain, including Catalonia and Girona, sending a clear message: the era of unregulated vacation rentals in Spain is over.
The €64 Million Wake-Up Call
The fine, one of the largest ever imposed by Spain's Consumer Ministry, penalizes Airbnb for:
Listing thousands of properties without proper tourism registration numbers
Using false or fabricated registration numbers in some cases
Failing to cooperate fully with regulatory investigations
The €64 million represents six times the estimated profit Airbnb earned from these illegal listings. Only Ryanair has received a higher fine from this ministry.
Why This Matters for Property Owners and Guests
The Risks Are Real
Across Spain, especially in cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, the percentage of vacation rentals operating without proper licenses has been alarmingly high. This creates serious problems:
For property owners:
Potential fines and legal consequences
Risk of having listings removed without notice
Damage to reputation and lost bookings
Possible tax and insurance complications
For guests:
Last-minute cancellations if properties are found to be illegal
Lack of proper insurance coverage
No guarantee of safety standards or consumer protections
Uncertainty about the legitimacy of their booking
The Regulatory Landscape Is Tightening
Spain's new national registration system, implemented in July 2025, requires all vacation rental properties to display valid registration numbers. This affects vacation rental compliance requirements across all regions, including specific tourism regulations in Catalonia and Girona province.
Regional governments in Catalonia and throughout Spain are conducting more inspections, and platforms face increasing pressure to verify vacation rental legal compliance.
This is not just about one Airbnb fine. It's about a fundamental shift in how vacation rentals are regulated across Spain and Catalonia.
Understanding Catalonia's Vacation Rental Compliance Requirements
Operating a legal vacation rental in Catalonia requires navigating multiple layers of regulation. Here are the key compliance requirements:
HUT License (Habitatge d'Ús Turístic)
The foundational tourism license required for all vacation rentals in Catalonia. This certifies your property meets minimum standards for tourist accommodation.
Número de Registrador (National Registration Number)
Spain's new national system requires a unique registration number that must be displayed on all listings and marketing materials.
Registre Mossos (Police Registration)
All guests must be registered with the Catalan police (Mossos d'Esquadra) within 24 hours of arrival. This requires collecting and submitting identity documents for all guests.
DAC7 Compliance (EU Tax Reporting)
The EU's DAC7 directive requires platforms and property managers to report rental income data to tax authorities. Property owners must ensure proper tax reporting and documentation.
Additional Requirements:
Energy efficiency certificate (Certificat d'Eficiència Energètica)
Property insurance with appropriate coverage for tourist rentals
Fire safety compliance and emergency exit plans
Occupancy limits based on property size and local regulations
Local municipal regulations (vary by municipality within Girona and Catalonia)
Income tax obligations (IRPF) and VAT considerations where applicable
Data protection (GDPR) compliance for guest information
We understand this is stressful and complex for property owners. Keeping track of changing regulations, filing requirements, deadlines, and paperwork across multiple agencies can be overwhelming-especially if you own property in Spain but live elsewhere, or simply have other priorities.
That's exactly why Els Majordoms exists. We handle all of these compliance requirements on behalf of our property owners, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and your property stays fully legal and protected.
The Els Majordoms Difference: Compliance as a Core Value
At Els Majordoms, we've always believed that professional property management starts with doing things the right way. Legal compliance isn't just a box to check—it's fundamental to protecting our property owners and providing peace of mind to our guests.
Our Commitment to Legal Compliance
✅ Every property we manage has proper tourism registration
We don't list properties until all legal requirements are met. No shortcuts, no exceptions.
✅ We guide owners through the registration process
Navigating Spanish tourism regulations can be complex. We actively support property owners in obtaining and maintaining proper licenses and registration numbers.
✅ Transparent partnerships with property owners
We work closely with owners on operational decisions, vendor relationships, and compliance matters. You're not just a listing—you're a valued partner.
✅ Professional channel management
We ensure properties are properly represented across all booking platforms, including our partnership with premium channels like Marriott Homes & Villas, always with correct registration information.
✅ Ongoing compliance monitoring
Regulations change. We stay on top of new requirements and proactively update our processes to ensure continued compliance.
What This Means for You
If you're a property owner:
Partnering with Els Majordoms means you can focus on your investment while we handle the complex regulatory landscape. We protect you from legal risks and ensure your property operates within the law.
If you're a guest:
Booking through Els Majordoms guarantees you're staying in a legally registered, professionally managed property with proper insurance, safety standards, and consumer protections.
The Professional Property Management Advantage
The Airbnb fine highlights a fundamental problem with platform-only approaches: there's often a gap between listing a property and ensuring it meets all legal requirements.
Professional property management fills that gap. We combine:
Local expertise in Catalan and Girona tourism regulations and vacation rental compliance
Personal relationships with property owners
Professional standards for guest services and property care
Proactive compliance with evolving regulations
Full operational support from booking to checkout
This isn't just about avoiding fines. It's about building sustainable, trustworthy tourism that benefits property owners, guests, and local communities.
Building Tourism That Benefits Everyone
At Els Majordoms, operating in Catalonia and the Girona region, we want to be part of a tourism sector that has a positive effect on the communities we work in. That's why we view Spain's increased regulatory enforcement not as a burden, but as a positive development for our industry.
We actively encourage both property owners and guests to follow the rules. When everyone operates within the legal framework:
Local communities benefit from regulated, responsible tourism that doesn't overwhelm housing markets
The tourism sector becomes more sustainable and maintains social license to operate
Property owners can invest with confidence in a stable, legitimate market
Guests enjoy better protections and higher quality experiences
Government revenues support local infrastructure and services
Industry quality improves as better regulation raises standards and encourages professionalism across the sector
Compliance isn't just about avoiding penalties. It's about being a responsible member of the Catalan community and contributing to a tourism model that can thrive for generations.
We believe that professional, compliant vacation rental management in Catalonia and Girona helps create the kind of tourism that locals can support and visitors can trust. Better vacation rental regulation in Spain elevates the entire industry, separating professional operators from those who cut corners. That's the future we're building in Catalonia and throughout the region.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Legal Vacation Rentals in Spain and Catalonia
Following the Airbnb fine and increased enforcement, the Spanish government has made its position clear: vacation rentals in Spain, Catalonia, and Girona are welcome, but they must operate with full legal compliance and professional standards. We expect:
Continued enforcement and potentially higher fines
More stringent verification requirements for all platforms
Greater scrutiny of property registration numbers
Increased emphasis on professional property management
Those who adapt to this new reality will thrive. Those who don't will face increasing risks.
Partner with Confidence
At Els Majordoms, we manage legally compliant luxury vacation properties across Catalonia and the Girona region-from historic castles to modern villas. Every single property operates with full vacation rental legal compliance, professional standards, and the peace of mind that comes from doing things right.
Whether you're a property owner in Spain, Catalonia, or Girona looking for trustworthy vacation rental management, or a guest seeking a worry-free, legally compliant stay, we're here to help.
Ready to work with a compliant, professional property management partner?
Contact us to discuss how we can help you navigate Spanish tourism regulations while maximizing your property's potential.
Els Majordoms specializes in professional, legally compliant vacation rental management in Catalonia and Girona, Spain. We focus on tourism license compliance, exceptional guest experiences, and transparent partnerships with property owners navigating Spanish vacation rental regulations.
