The European Commission has raised concerns about Spain's unified register of properties designated for tourist rental, as reported by the travel industry portal Preferente. This mechanism, introduced by the Spanish government as a means to combat illegal short-term rentals, has resulted in the removal of tens of thousands of properties from the market that were either deemed illegal or failing to meet new formal requirements. This significant decrease in available vacation rentals is causing alarm not only among property owners but also throughout the wider tourism industry, as some commentators suggest that the reduction in accommodation supply could jeopardize vacation plans for thousands of Spaniards.

In response to these developments, the Andalusian association of tourist apartments, AVVAPRO, has cautioned that the Spanish government's decisions may further impact the tourism sector. Although Brussels does not dispute the necessity of regulating and controlling short-term rentals, it has criticized the specific model adopted by Spain. There are concerns that while the intent is to enhance the legitimacy and oversight of the lodging market, the current approach is resulting in unintended consequences that could disrupt both rental markets and tourist options.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by governments attempting to balance regulation with market availability. As the scrutiny from the European Commission intensifies, it will be crucial for Spain to reassess its strategies to ensure that they are both effective in curbing illegal activity and sustainable for the tourism ecosystem. Ultimately, the outcomes of this intervention could set a precedent for how other European nations manage their own short-term rental markets in the future.