Short-term property rentals in Spain in 2025

What is Short-term Property Rental in Spain?

Short-term rental in Spain is a lucrative form of making properties available to tourists for a short period – most often from a few days to a few weeks. This business model has become extremely popular among investors, especially in tourist regions, offering significantly higher profits than traditional long-term rental. In 2025, new regulations come into force that professionalize the market and create more stable conditions for serious investors.

To legally operate short-term rental in Spain, the owner must meet a number of legal and technical requirements that differ depending on the autonomous region. The most important of these are having an appropriate tourist license and adapting the apartment to specific technical standards.

Breakthrough Changes in Short-term Rental Regulations in 2025

Número de Registro – Key to Legal Rental from July 1, 2025

According to Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of the European Parliament and Spanish Royal Decree (Real Decreto 1312/2024), from July 1, 2025, every property intended for short-term rental will be part of an official registration system. This system will ensure legal functioning in the market and protection against unfair competition from unregistered properties.

Owners and rental platforms (such as Airbnb or Booking) will use a unique Registration Number (Número de Registro), which will serve as a kind of “quality mark” for potential guests. This regulation is part of a European initiative aimed at organizing the market and ensuring high standards of tourist service.

Housing Community Consent – Ensuring Quality Living Environment

From April 3, 2025, owners of new apartments rented short-term need the consent of the residents’ community (3/5 majority vote). Importantly, people with tourist licenses issued before April 3, 2025 are completely exempt from this obligation and retain their rights – this makes properties with existing licenses particularly valuable on the market.

Consequences of Non-compliance

Operating illegal short-term rental in Spain can result in serious financial consequences. In the absence of required community consent or a tourist license, penalties can range from 30,000 to as much as 600,000 euros, depending on the region and severity of the violation.

The president of the housing community has the right to report a violation to the relevant authorities, which can initiate administrative proceedings against the owner. Additionally, rental platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com may be required to remove illegal listings under threat of their own financial penalties.

How to Obtain a Tourist License for Short-term Rental?

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Identity document
• Certificate confirming the right to use the property
• List of properties intended for rental
• Technical documentation confirming compliance with premises requirements
• Administrative fee (amount depends on the region)

Technical Standards for Short-term Rental Properties

Spanish regulations define three equipment standards for properties intended for short-term rental: Standard, Primera, and Superior. Choosing the appropriate standard affects both the property’s categorization and potential rental income.

It’s worth remembering that high-quality equipment also translates into better ratings and reviews, which in turn increases occupancy and allows for stable income throughout the year.

Tax on Short-term Rental in Spain

The tax system concerning short-term rental in Spain is complex and depends on the nature of the service provided:

• Rental without additional services: Treated as income from immovable capital, subject to taxation under IRPF (equivalent of Polish PIT).
• Rental with additional services: Subject to VAT at 10%.
• Rental through a management company: The company takes over tax and settlement obligations.

Tax settlement deadlines differ depending on tax residency status:

• By May – for people permanently residing in Spain or staying there for more than 180 days a year
• By December – for non-residents

The following are needed for settlement with the Spanish tax office:

• Identity document
• Property tax document (IBI)
• Deed of ownership
• Document confirming rental cost
• Document confirming rental income

Best Regions of Spain for Short-term Rental Investment

Costa Blanca – Stable Market with High Potential

The Costa Blanca region will be covered by new regulations on mandatory property registration from July 1, 2025, which will create more stable and transparent conditions for professional investors. The process of obtaining a tourist license is subject to the regulations of the Tourism Act of the Valencian Community.

Although some localities have introduced restrictions on issuing new licenses (Altea, Dénia, L’Alfàs del Pi, Polop, Sant Joan d’Alacant, and El Campello), these restrictions make existing licenses more valuable, and demand for legal tourist accommodation remains high.

Many localities on Costa Blanca still offer excellent investment opportunities and high rates of return from short-term rental:

• Benidorm – year-round resort with excellent tourist infrastructure
• Calpe – popular city with the characteristic Penon de Ifach rock
• Jávea – exclusive resort with beautiful beaches
• Moraira – charming town with a marina
• Alicante – provincial capital with international airport
• Torrevieja – city with extensive tourist infrastructure
• Orihuela Costa – area with numerous golf courses
• La Zenia – location with large shopping center La Zenia Boulevard

Costa del Sol – Luxury Market with High Rates

Andalusia, where Costa del Sol is located, has introduced a decree organizing the short-term rental market, which eliminates unfair competition and raises service standards. To conduct legal rental on Costa del Sol, you must register in the Andalusian tourism registry.

It’s worth noting that localities such as Málaga (with a ban in 43 districts exceeding 8% saturation), Fuengirola, Torremolinos, and the historic part of Ronda have introduced restrictions on issuing new licenses. This situation creates a unique investment opportunity for purchasing properties with already existing licenses, whose value is systematically growing due to limited supply.

Short-term rental still brings excellent profits in key locations of Costa del Sol:

• Marbella – exclusive resort with Puerto Banús marinas and luxury properties
• Benalmádena – popular location with amusement parks and water park
• Estepona – charming town with traditional Andalusian atmosphere
• Nerja – picturesque town with famous caves

Mallorca and Balearic Islands – Exclusive Market with Premium Rates

Mallorca has some of the strictest regulations in Spain. In Palma de Mallorca, a complete ban on tourist rental in multi-family buildings has been introduced, and similar restrictions apply to the entire island of Ibiza and main tourist localities of Mallorca. These restrictions have created an extremely lucrative market for owners of single-family homes (chaletes), which can still obtain tourist licenses.

Locations with excellent investment potential:

• Alcúdia – historic town with beautiful sandy beach
• Sóller – picturesque town in Serra de Tramuntana mountains
• Pollença – charming location with marinas and bays
• Santa Ponsa – popular resort with sandy beaches
• Cala d’Or – elegant resort with numerous bays

Emerging Regions with Excellent Growth Potential

For investors seeking new opportunities, the Costa Calida and Costa de Almeria regions offer attractive investment potential at lower entry prices than better-known areas. A key advantage of these regions is also fewer restrictions on issuing new tourist licenses, making them an ideal choice for new investors.

Costa de Almería

• Almería – city with Arab fortress Alcazaba
• Roquetas de Mar – developed resort with water park
• Mojácar – picturesque town with white houses
• Vera – naturist center with beautiful beaches

Costa Cálida

• Cartagena – historic port city
• La Manga del Mar Menor – unique strip of land between sea and lagoon
• Águilas – traditional fishing town with beautiful beaches

Effective Property Management – Key to Problem-free Rental

Modern short-term rental is a business that can be run entirely remotely, using professional management services. Cooperation with a management company eliminates all concerns related to regulations and daily property service.

Summary – Prospects for Investors in 2025

The year 2025 brings new regulations that organize the short-term rental market in Spain, creating stable conditions for serious investors. The most important changes are:

• Introduction of unique registration number (Número de Registro) – professionalization of the market and elimination of gray area
• Requirement for housing community consent – increase in value of properties with existing licenses
• Precise technical standards – clear guidelines for investors regarding requirements
• Development of professional management services – possibility of completely remote business operation

For new investors, choosing the right location is crucial – there are still many areas offering excellent investment opportunities and high rates of return. Cooperation with an experienced real estate agency and professional management company allows for safe and profitable investments, even in a changing legal environment.

Despite regulatory challenges, the Spanish short-term rental market remains one of the most attractive in Europe, offering stable and high income for investors approaching the business in a professional manner.