Airbnb fined €8.6 million over Oléron tourist‑tax dispute

France’s Constitutional Council confirmed an €8.6 million civil penalty against Airbnb for repeatedly failing to collect the tourist‑tax (taxe de séjour) on the island of Oléron. The fine covers 7,410 night‑stays in 2021‑2022, with penalties of €1,500 per night for 2021 and €1,000 for 2022 applied by the Court of Appeal in Poitiers. The Council ruled that the penalties comply with constitutional principles of proportionality and equality before the law. The decision provides a major budget boost for the Communauté de communes de l’île d’Oléron, allowing it to fund pending public projects such as a new France Services centre. Airbnb said it will respect the ruling while noting that the Court of Cassation will later review whether the amount is proportionate to the alleged fault.