Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – explains why it is vital for property owners to comply with the new ‘Registro Unico’ rules, re holiday rentals in Spain…
IF YOU own a property and rent it out to holidaymakers, you must pay close attention to rules that changed on 1 July, 2025 concerning short-term holiday rentals in Spain. Namely, your property must be clearly registered with an official license number, provisioned by the Junta de Andalucia.
According to a recent article in Sur in English, seven out of 10 holiday rentals in Andalucia stand to be removed from the market because they are not correctly entered on the ‘Registro Único’ – the new, nationwide, single register of tourist and seasonal holiday rentals in Spain, promoted by central government to ensure compliance from owners.
The Junta de Andalucia is said to be processing 49,397 requests submitted from property owners to form part of this new, compulsory register of holiday rentals in Spain.
The national regulations from the Spanish government affect short-term holiday rentals across the country – especially properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. This isn’t just talk – these rules are already in place, and they come with real consequences if ignored. And fines!
So, what has actually changed?
Under the updated national legislation, all holiday rentals in Spain must now be clearly registered with the appropriate regional authority, booking platforms must show the official licence number of each property, and platforms are also required to share data with regional governments. You can no longer place your property on Airbnb (or similar) and hope for the best.
In short: transparency is the goal. The Spanish government wants to ensure that holiday rentals in Spain meet safety and tax obligations, and that tourists are staying in properly regulated homes.
How does this affect owners in Andalucía?
For property owners in Granada province, Costa Tropical, Lecrín Valley, Órgiva, and surrounding areas, many of these rules won’t come as a surprise. The VFT (Vivienda con Fines Turísticos) licence system has been in place for years.
However, this new national law means greater enforcement, more scrutiny from booking platforms, and increased sharing of your data with government agencies.
You don’t want to fall foul of this scrutiny!
What about unlicensed holiday rentals in Spain?
This is where it gets risky. If you’re renting your property short-term and it isn’t registered, there is now much higher potential of receiving a fine or having your listing removed entirely. Authorities can impose penalties of up to €30,000 for non-compliance.
What if I only rent occasionally?
Even if you only rent for a few weeks a year, you still need to follow the same rules. Occasional renting doesn’t exempt you from needing a licence, complying with safety regulations, or declaring your income to the Hacienda.
What you should do next
If you already operate a holiday rental in Spain, make sure that:
- Your VFT licence is up to date.
- Your booking platform shows the correct licence number.
- Your property meets regional standards for safety and facilities.
- You’re declaring your income properly.
If you’re thinking about offering your property as a holiday rentalin Spain, don’t list it until everything’s in place. It’s no longer a grey area.
Obtain professional advice
Don’t listen to the local bar-flies or armchair forum warriors! Solicit advice from industry professionals who understand the local regulations and how they apply with the new national laws. It is important to remain compliant and earn your holiday rental income safely and legally.
Remember that, if you’re buying a property with the idea of holiday rentals in Spain, that the license does not automatically transfer from the previous owner.
So, whether you’re new to the sector, or an old hand who has rented o tourists for years, a trained industry professional can help your situation. For example, they review your current setup, ensure that you comply with all the latest rules, register or update your VFT licence, connect you with trusted legal and tax professionals, and offer the latest advice on rental strategy, pricing, and presentation. In short, they can make life easier for you and your holiday rental in Spain!
- Watch videos on various aspects of Granada and Costa Tropical real estate.
