In light of public discontent over the housing shortage and high rents, Spain wants to increase pressure on short-term rental companies for tourists. Consumer Protection Minister Pablo Bustinduy said on Wednesday that the government would check the licenses of providers on rental platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. “If a house does not have a license for tourism, advertising it on internet platforms should be illegal and therefore punishable,” he told broadcaster TVE. Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez said that a register for holiday rentals announced by the government would not be completed until the end of 2025 at the earliest.