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Ibiza Removes Over 2,800 Illegal Airbnb Listings in Landmark Crackdown
Ibiza has officially removed 2,831 illegal Airbnb listings, representing more than 14,500 unlicensed beds, in what officials are calling a landmark victory against overtourism. The operation, led by the Balearic Islands’ taskforce for illegal rentals, was powered by analytics from Mabrian and carried out in partnership with Airbnb itself.
Authorities used advanced data-driven mapping, geolocation tools, and host profiling to cross-check listings against official registries, flagging and removing unlicensed properties. It marks the first time a Spanish region claims to have eliminated its entire stock of illegal Airbnbs.
Ripple Effect: Tourists & Locals
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Tourists: An estimated 4,900 daily visitors who would have booked illegal rentals are now being redirected toward licensed hotels and registered accommodations.
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Residents: With thousands of illegal beds removed, locals are expected to feel some relief in Ibiza’s overheated housing market.
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Community Balance: Officials say the move is crucial to restoring equilibrium between the island’s booming tourism economy and residents’ quality of life.
Margarita Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands Government, confirmed that the process will extend to the entire Balearic archipelago, with full compliance expected by October 2025.
A National and European Trend
Ibiza’s crackdown is part of Spain’s wider campaign to eliminate 120,000 illegal short-term rentals nationwide. With 65,000 already removed, Spain joins cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Berlin, which have all moved to tighten regulations on platforms like Airbnb.
What Comes Next
Authorities admit some hosts may attempt to re-list under new identities, meaning constant monitoring and enforcement will be key. Still, Ibiza’s bold move sets a precedent — potentially becoming a blueprint for other tourist-heavy regions around the world.
With over 2,800 properties taken offline, Ibiza has drawn a clear line: tourism growth cannot come at the cost of local housing and community balance.
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