Spain’s government has taken drastic measures to combat the overtourism crisis that has plagued the country since the pandemic, following months of protests in popular tourist destinations such as the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Madrid. The protests were sparked by the detrimental effect of increasing numbers of tourists on local services and housing.

A Royal Decree has been issued nationwide, with Spain’s President and Council of Ministers approving plans to tackle the rampant “illegal” tourism industry that has flourished in recent years. This includes over 14,000 unauthorised short-term holiday rentals advertised on platforms like Airbnb in Madrid alone, signalling a significant decrease in available accommodation for tourists is imminent.

This bold move comes just days after Madrid was brought to a standstill when thousands of students, young people, and trade unionists took to the streets to protest against the surge in holiday rentals, which have resulted in a subsequent rise in rents for locals. As part of the decree, many of these affected young tenants, aged between 18 to 35, will now receive a monthly 250 euro handout from the government to help alleviate the crisis.

Brits looking for alternatives to hotels on websites like Airbnb might see a dip in selection soon, as a new rule is coming into play. According to El Mundo, those wanting to let their properties for short stays will need a digital licence before they can list on any platform.

At a news conference about the new crackdown, government minister Isabel Rodriguez remarked: “It will be impossible to market on the platforms tourist accommodation that does not comply with the regulations.” A move that’s expected to reintroduce over 10,000 properties to Madrid’s long-term rental sector.

Protesters on Sunday highlighted that employees in Madrid now fork out half their annual salaries on rent, which hits hard due to Spain’s flat wage growth and the typically low-paid or part-time roles that younger citizens find themselves in.

Amidst strong public outcry pushing for action against the tourism-inflated living costs, Housing Minister Rodriguez addressed the media, saying: “Today, no one disputes that order must be put in tourist accommodation.”

Socialist Prime Minister Sanchez also responded to demonstrators, stating the unlawful tourist practices were “deplorable” and fixing it was an “absolute priority” for his administration.