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Over-tourism in Spain Laws to Tackle the Increase in Tourism
In recent years, with tourism escalating in mainland Spain and the Balearic and Canary Islands, local residents are becoming increasingly concerned and irritated. The increase in tourism has led to increased rent prices as well as the cost of house purchase, particularly in Barcelona and Palma. Frustrations have been aimed at the Government as well as tourists themselves, with many locals taking to the streets to voice their anger. In our 2024 study, 59% of respondents said they frequently visit Spain, and 21% said it has made them anxious about visiting in the future. Should British Nationals be concerned?
In our guide, we will highlight the results of our research into the British public’s perception of the anti-tourism protests in Spain, to ease concerns and anxieties. We will explain the tourism issues in Spain, the laws introduced to tackle over-tourism, and whether the protests have affected tourism in Spain. We will also discuss whether tourism protests will affect you, and how our Spanish lawyers at Giambrone and Partners can assist you.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
More about the reasons behind the protests
Learn whether tourism has been negatively affected by the protests
Here are the laws introduced by the Spanish government regarding tourism protests
Find out whether you may be affected by tourism protests
See how we can assist you
What are the Tourism Issues in Spain?
Tourism is an extremely significant part of Spain’s economy. In fact, it contributed to around 13% of Spain’s overall economy in 2024. However, despite this, locals in tourist hotspots are frustrated with the number of tourists coming each year, a number which is only increasing. Protests dominated the news this summer; in fact, 84% of our respondents were aware of the ongoing tourism protests in Spain.
Locals began protesting in 2024 in Barcelona and Majorca, their main concerns being the housing crisis, gentrification and their quality of life. Many locals complain about rising rental prices that are a direct result of mass tourism. Many properties are currently available to tourists as holiday apartments and homes, which removes the housing stock from the local market. They argue local people in rented accommodation are being forced out of their homes due to rising prices, and that their quality of life has been significantly reduced.
Local people also note disrespectful behaviour exhibited by some tourists. However, their frustration does not necessarily lie with tourists themselves, but with the government, private renters and local authorities seemingly “enabling” mass tourism. Notwithstanding this, some protesters have targeted tourists, going so far as to fire water guns at them whilst they are dining in local restaurants.
This behaviour has led to some British nationals having little sympathy; 38% of our survey’s respondents said they don’t agree with the protests, a number most likely fuelled by the aggression of some protestors. But how has this animosity affected tourism?
Have Protests Affected Tourism in Spain?
Despite the protests, tourism doesn’t seem to be affected, although the full picture won’t be clear until the summer season is officially over. In fact, the Spanish tourism office claims that the protests were “heavily inflated” by the UK media.
In our recent survey, only 23% of respondents said the protests had deterred them from visiting Spain, and just 5% had witnessed the protests for themselves. Despite these figures, the animosity is very real, but what have the Spanish government done to ease locals’ worries?
What are the Laws Related Tourism in Spain?
Laws introduced by the Spanish government to curb over-tourism include:
- Cancellation of short-term rental licenses: in Barcelona, the mayor announced plans to cancel short-term rent licenses by 2028. They will stop approving new licenses and cease renewing existing ones to tackle the housing crisis. This will stop people from renting out their homes to tourists on sites like Airbnb.
- Ban cruise ships from docking: this has been introduced by Barcelona to tackle tourism and pollution
- Raise tourist taxes: also introduced in Barcelona, the tourist tax will now be €4 per visitor, starting in October 2024.
- Drunk and disorderly laws: on the Balearic Islands, party boats have been banned from being closer than one nautical mile to the shore, and have imposed strict laws and fines on drinking alcohol in public places. You can find out more here.
- Laws on illegal tourist accommodation: in Valencia, plans were announced to cut off the electricity and water supply to illegal tourist accommodation.
If you believe you may be affected by any of these laws, or you have experienced an incident in Spain during the protests, get in touch with our Spanish lawyers today.
How will Tourism Protests Affect Me?
There are various ways the Spanish tourism protests may affect you, including a rise in anxiety, rising cancellation rates, and a negative perception of Spain. There may be areas that people may avoid including Majorca and Barcelona. For the time being protests seem to have subsided.
The protests are mainly peaceful and very rarely get confrontational.
International Legal Advice at Giambrone and Partners
Over-tourism in Spain has become a pressing issue, straining local resources, disrupting daily life for residents, and threatening the preservation of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. In response, the Spanish government and local authorities have introduced a series of laws aimed at controlling tourist numbers, regulating short-term rentals, and promoting sustainable practices in tourism. From capping the number of visitors in popular destinations like Barcelona and Majorca, to introducing stricter licensing regulations for holiday rentals, these measures are designed to ensure a more balanced and respectful approach to tourism.
Navigating these legal changes can be complex, particularly for property owners, investors, and businesses within the tourism sector. Giambrone & Partners is well-positioned to provide expert legal advice and support on the latest regulations and their impact. Whether you need guidance on compliance with local legislation, assistance with licensing applications, or advice on sustainable tourism investments, our experienced team is here to help you understand and adapt to the evolving legal landscape in Spain.