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Visiting Barcelona always promises an unforgettable time, and for most people, enjoyment is guaranteed.

However, as visitors, they might fall prey to one of the few downsides any traveler can face: booking illegal tourist apartments. This is mainly done on popular booking sites, including Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo, Niumba, Tripadvisor, and Rentalia.

Fear not, as the Catalan government saw it through to have 1,339 advertisements for illegal tourist apartments removed in 2023. 

Data from the Catalan tourism board indicates that this number represents about 7,360 bed places.

The government has a monthly tracker that checks around 90,000 listings on major rental sites. If an illegal home appears on their radar, they order the respective sites to take it down.

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This crackdown comes in handy for everyone who might fall victim. Perpetrators receive a warning, as seen with one who was fined earlier this year. 

A Barcelona property owner was handed a staggering fine for renting out unlicensed tourist apartments in the Old City area for years, according to the authorities.

For accepting bookings to his 14 flats on Calle Ample, advertised online via internationally famous holiday accommodation portals, the owner was hit with a staggering 鈧�420,000 penalty.

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Albert Batlle, Barcelona’s security councilor and Old City representative, exclaimed that the huge fine handed down by the City Council would serve as a warning for any other owners of illegal rentals to either stop or get them registered.

For the security of tenants, most online platforms generally comply with the law and work hand-in-hand with the government to ensure a seamless experience.

By flagging off over 1,300 illegal tourist apartments, the Catalan government demonstrates its commitment to protecting the needs and interests of visitors. If safety issues are a concern, they will undoubtedly be addressed.

This proactive approach ensures that your stay in Barcelona will be smooth, with your safety and well-being taken care of, preventing you from ending up in a shady apartment.