Spain, a top global tourist destination attracting a record 94 million visitors last year, is grappling with the consequences of its popularity. While not banning tourists, the government is implementing measures to address concerns about overtourism, particularly focusing on the impact on housing affordability.

The surge in tourism has led to complaints about overcrowding, strain on resources like water, and significantly, a housing crisis in major cities. Soaring rental and home prices, especially in Barcelona and Madrid, have made it difficult for residents, particularly young people, to find affordable housing. Short-term rentals, often catering to tourists, are seen as a major contributor to this problem.

In response, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled a 12-point plan to tackle the housing crisis, including stricter regulations on short-term rentals. This doesn’t signal a tourism ban, but rather a shift towards more sustainable tourism practices.

Several cities are already taking action. Malaga is limiting new tourist rentals in areas where they exceed 8% of the housing stock, while Barcelona plans to phase out all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments in the coming years.

Despite these regulations, tourists can still book hotels and other accommodations throughout Spain. However, a new law mandates increased data collection from hotels and car rental companies for national security purposes, requiring more paperwork from travelers above the age of 14, including passport details, addresses, and payment information. The government emphasizes that these measures aim to manage the impact of tourism, not to deter it.