# Spain orders removal of 8,318 illegal rental ads 23 October 2026 at 09:38 > The Ministry of Consumer Affairs targets real estate portals for listing short-term tourist apartments disguised as seasonal rentals. Spain's **Ministry of Consumer Affairs**, led by **Pablo Bustinduy**, has ordered two real estate portals to remove 8,318 tourist apartment advertisements. These listings allegedly violate the Maricarmen decree by offering seasonal rentals for less than 31 days. The Directorate General for Consumer Affairs identified 6,772 of these ads in **Madrid**, with 96% located in the capital. Under the new legal framework, such short-term stays are classified as tourist apartments and are subject to a 10% Value Added Tax rate. Citing the **Digital Services Act**, the Ministry warned platforms of direct responsibility if they fail to block these misleading ads. This follows previous enforcement actions, including a 64 million euro fine against **Airbnb** for similar regulatory violations. [#Spain]() [#RealEstate]() #TouristApartments [#ConsumerRights]() [#Madrid]() ## Related news ## [Amparo Larrañaga backs son in housing protest]() 24 October 2026 at 10:43 ## [Judge dismisses Quiles lawsuit against Gómez]() 19 October 2026 at 16:50 ## [Madrid memorial for evicted tenant destroyed]() 17 October 2026 at 16:06 ## [Spain probes real estate portal over rental ads]() 7 October 2026 at 09:43 ## [Madrid approves 2027 labour calendar holidays]() 1 October 2026 at 17:45