New tourist accommodation registration number and mandatory homeowners association approval

Discover how the new regulations for tourist and short-term rentals may affect you, and what you need to consider to stay compliant.

In the coming months, two new regulations will come into effect, impacting owners of tourist and seasonal rental properties in Spain:

• April 3, 2025: Obtaining explicit approval from the homeowners association will be mandatory to use a property for tourist rentals.
• July 1, 2025: All tourist and seasonal rental properties must have a national unique registration number to advertise on digital platforms.

Season Rental

Seasonal rental properties do not serve as permanent residences but are intended for specific housing needs such as:

• Students
• Temporary work assignments
• Stays for medical treatments

These rentals fall under the Urban Leasing Law (Law 29/1994, of November 24) and do not require additional authorization from regional governments or municipalities to obtain the mandatory registration number.

Tourist Rental

Properties intended for tourist accommodation are subject to specific regulations established by regional governments and municipalities.

• Landlords must complete all necessary procedures for marketing their properties.
• The relevant regional or municipal authorities oversee compliance and regulation of this market.

Mandatory homeowners association approval

Starting April 3, 2025, as per the amendment to the Horizontal Property Law, property owners wishing to offer their homes for tourist rentals must obtain explicit approval from their homeowners association.

This agreement requires a favorable vote from three-fifths of all property owners, representing three-fifths of the participation quotas.

Importantly, this regulation is not retroactive; properties already holding a tourist use license before the law’s enactment can continue their activity without this new authorization.

At a Glance

• Community approval: Now mandatory to obtain tourist rental licenses.
• Unauthorized rentals: Community can request immediate cessation.
• Effective date: April 3, 2024.
• Existing licenses: Not affected.

New Tourist Accommodation Registration Number

From July 1, 2025, all properties intended for tourist or short-term rentals in Spain must have a national unique registration number.

Beware of this! If you have a property that you rent for both tourist rentals and seasonal rentals, you will need two registration numbers, one for each type of rental.

This number is necessary to advertise properties on online platforms like Airbnb, Booking, or Rentalia. It applies to all tourist accommodations, regardless of when the tourist license was obtained.

Steps to Obtain the Registration Number:

1. Prepare the Necessary Documentation:

• • Cadastral reference and exact address of the property.
  • Specify whether the entire property or individual rooms will be rented.
  • Indicate the maximum number of guests allowed.
  • Valid tourist license, according to the requirements of the corresponding Autonomous Community.

2. Application Procedure:

• • Access the land registry website.
  • Complete the online form with the required information.
  • Download the completed form in PDF format.
  • Submit the form and additional documentation through the electronic submission service, selecting « ASSIGNMENT OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMMODATION REGISTRATION NUMBER FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS » as the operation type.

Technical Requirements:

• Subscription to the electronic submission service of the land registry.
• Possession of a valid electronic certificate for identification and document signing.

Fee for Obtaining the Registration Number:

• The registration fee at the land registry costs €27 per application, excluding taxes. If you apply for the number for tourist and short-term rentals, then two applications must be done.

In some Autonomous Communities, such as Valencia and Murcia, obtaining the tourist license is a prerequisite.

At a Glance:

• Mandatory Registration: All tourist and seasonal rental properties must have a registration number.
• Regional Requirements: In some regions (e.g., Valencia, Murcia), a tourist license is required first.
• Deadline: Must be requested before July 1, 2025 and displayed on rental platforms.
• Applies to All: Affects all tourist rentals, regardless of when the license was obtained.

For more information, visit the electronic headquarters of the Land Registry here.

Owners of tourist accommodations must stay informed and adapt to these new regulations to ensure legal compliance and avoid potential sanctions. If you have any questions, please contact us.?

We want to help you navigate all the legal complexities that comes to buying or selling a house in Spain, but this article is legal information and should not be seen as legal advice.