MADRID – The Spanish government has imposed a hefty fine of 64 million euros (approximately $75 million) on Airbnb for promoting tourist accommodations that lack proper licenses, as announced by officials on Monday.

Authorities from the consumer rights ministry revealed that many of these listings either omitted the necessary license numbers — a stipulation required in several Spanish regions — or presented license numbers that failed to correspond with official records. Additionally, some listings contained inaccurate host details.

This action marks the latest in a series of governmental measures targeting short-term rental firms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Spain is actively addressing a housing affordability crisis, which is particularly acute in urban centers and areas frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Airbnb has stated its intention to contest the fine legally. The company claims to be working with Spanish authorities to align with a new national registration framework for short-term rentals. Since January, over 70,000 listings on Airbnb have reportedly incorporated a registration number.

Spain’s left-leaning administration, along with many citizens across the political spectrum, holds short-term rental platforms accountable for escalating housing prices.

In May, the consumer rights ministry ordered Airbnb to take down around 65,000 listings because of rule violations.

“There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes,” Spain’s consumer rights minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said in a statement.