Spain introduces mandatory registration for tourist rentals by July 2025

New regulations set to take effect on July 1, 2025, require all homeowners renting out tourist properties in Spain to register them with the government. The rules, aimed at regulating short-term rentals, outline specific requirements, exceptions, and the registration process, marking a significant shift in Spain's approach to its tourist accommodation sector.

A transition to regulation

The Spanish government approved the new regulations at the end of 2024, with the law officially coming into effect on January 2, 2025. However, a transition period until July 1, 2025, allows property owners affected by the law to register their rentals in the newly established system.

The law applies to houses, apartments, and even individual rooms rented out for short-term, tourist purposes. Popular platforms like Airbnb and Idealista will now require properties to have a government-issued identification number to advertise. Rentals offered without financial remuneration, such as lending properties to friends or family, are exempt. Local and regional authorities may also impose additional requirements or inspections.

The purpose of the registry

Known as the "lease registration platform" (Ventanilla Única Digital de Arrendamientos), the registry aims to ensure properties meet legal standards for tourist rentals. By registering, properties will be verified for compliance before receiving an ID number, which will be required to list them on digital platforms. This applies to all rentals lasting less than a year, including tourist apartments, room rentals, and even floating accommodations like boats.

How to register

Homeowners must register their properties online or in person at Colegio de Registradores offices. The process involves completing an online form, submitting supporting documents, and waiting for authorities to verify compliance. The government estimates this verification will take around 15 days.

Documents required for registration include:

- The property’s cadastral reference.

- Exact address.

- Information on the rental type (entire property or rooms).

- The number of occupants and confirmation that regional rental requirements are met.

Foreign property owners have reported difficulties navigating the process, particularly when using electronic certificates required for online submissions. The Spanish government has provided guidelines for registration, accessible on its official website.

Properties and penalties

The regulation covers all short-term rentals offered for financial compensation, including entire homes, individual rooms, and even boats. Exemptions apply to hotels, campsites, and accommodations already regulated under tourism laws.

Failure to comply with the registration requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to €600,000, restrictions on renting properties, or even the revocation of permits for repeat offenders.

Why the registry matters

The registry is part of Spain’s broader effort to regulate the tourist accommodation sector, which has significantly impacted the residential rental market. Protests across Spain in 2024 highlighted increasing tensions between tourism and housing availability.

Currently, Spain has 351,389 registered tourist properties, representing 1.5 percent of the country’s total housing stock. However, the real number is believed to be far higher due to unregistered rentals. Andalusia and Valencia lead the country in tourist accommodations, with 88,435 and 71,186 properties, respectively.

As the July 1, 2025, deadline approaches, only 100,000 properties have been registered, leaving an estimated 70 percent still unregistered. The Association of Registrars anticipates a surge in registrations in the final weeks, as staff have been specifically trained to handle the process.

The new regulations signal Spain's intent to balance its booming tourism industry with housing affordability and legal oversight, creating a system that benefits both tourists and residents alike.