Airbnb Cleans Up: What the October Removal Means for Mallorca

What is this about?

From mid-October, Airbnb apparently intends to remove from its offering all holiday apartments on Mallorca that cannot show a valid registration number (VUT) or permit. Under pressure from Madrid and with the support of the Balearic government and the Consell de Mallorca, listings without clear legitimization are to disappear. For many residents of the old-town neighborhoods this is a small victory against nightly noise orgies and constant tenant turnover. But the central question remains: Will this measure really relieve the housing market — or will it create new problems?

Why are the platforms acting now?

The authorities have had enough: estimates suggest that up to 40 percent of listings on Mallorca do not comply with the rules. The cases on Ibiza, where more than 2,800 listings have already been removed, act as a harbinger here. In Palma you can often hear the murmur from bars in Santa Catalina on warm summer evenings and the click of rolling suitcases on the cobblestones of La Lonja; residents no longer see this as a romantic scene, but as everyday life that has changed living conditions.

What is often overlooked?

The discourse quickly turns to assigning blame — platforms versus authorities, tourists versus locals. Less visible are three problems: First, the administrative hurdle for small hosts who are tax-compliant but have an incorrect or missing number in their listings. Second, the risk that last-minute bookings will be cancelled and families or workers will be left without accommodation. Third, a possible black market if listings simply move to other channels or covert rentals increase.

Who will be hit hardest by the measure?

Small landlords in rural areas and residential neighborhoods are vulnerable. Many do not have professional management but renovated an old town house to make the mortgage payments. Ana from Santa Catalina, who invested in an apartment and keeps her papers in order, feels reassured. Others, who for years welcomed guests through verbal agreements or old listings, are under pressure. The island atmosphere is changing not only because of the regulations: a café owner in Portixol sighed last week — not because of the sea breeze, but because several long-term guests suddenly cancelled.

What effects are likely — short-term and mid-term?

In the short term there will be unrest: booked trips can be rebooked or cancelled, local services like airport transfers and cleaning face revenue losses. Restaurants fear revenue drops in the low season because many guests arrive via private offers. In the medium term the data for planners could become cleaner: authorities would get more comparable figures, municipal planning would benefit and housing could be relieved — but only if enforcement is consistent and coordinated.

Concrete opportunities and solutions

So that the measure is not mere symbolic politics, more is needed than deletions:

1. Low-threshold re-registration: Mobile service points at town halls, simplified online forms and a clear checklist for hosts could legalize many cases quickly.

2. Transition periods and hardship provisions: Small providers need time and support — for example advisory services in Palma's neighborhood centers.

3. Transparent data and maps: A publicly accessible register with clear entries helps residents, planners and guests alike.

4. Targeted sanctions instead of blanket suspicion: Effective controls, combined fines and housing support are more effective than blanket bans.

What can hosts and guests do now?

Practical tips: Hosts should immediately check their VUT number, update listings and, if in doubt, upload photos of the documents. Those unsure should call the local town hall — many municipalities now offer support. For guests: look for the registration number in the listing and ask before booking. And: plan some flexibility — the island is changing right now.

The measure is not a stroll through Palma's alleys, but it is a step in the right direction. Will it solve everything? Probably not. But by mid-October we will see how many entries disappear, how many hosts comply — and whether island politics then finds better solutions for the housing market. Between the sound of church bells in Son Espases and the wind on Passeig de Born, one can reasonably expect that administration and community will now step up.