Registration of Tourist Apartments in Spain: Legal Guide and Mandatory Procedures
Do you have a tourist apartment? This is of interest to you
If you own a home that you rent for tourist or temporary purposes, you should know that the regulations have changed. Since the entry into force of Royal Decree 1312/2024, the registration of tourist apartments is mandatory throughout Spain for those who rent homes for vacation or temporary purposes. This obligation affects all properties offered on digital platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo or similar.
At our law firm, we process this registration throughout Spain and offer a comprehensive service for owners who want to rent safely, legally and profitably.
What does the registration of tourist apartments in Spain include?
A tourist apartment or tourist use dwelling is a property intended for short-term rental, whether for days, weeks or months, for vacation, professional, medical or educational purposes. These homes are promoted on digital platforms and are repeatedly rented to different people.
New national regulations: Royal Decree 1312/2024
Royal Decree 1312/2024, published in the BOE on December 24, 2024, establishes a common framework for the entire national territory, creating the Single Registry of Leases and the Single Digital Window of Leases.
Objectives of the new registry:
- Guarantee the legality and transparency of short-term rentals.
- Fight against tax fraud and undeclared rentals.
- Facilitate control by regional and municipal administrations.
- Standardize requirements at the national level without replacing regional regulations.
Who must comply with the registration of tourist apartments?
Any natural or legal person that offers short-term accommodation is obliged to register in the Single Registry. This includes:
- Owners of tourist apartments.
- Owners who rent properties for temporary stays.
Risks of not complying with the registration of tourist apartments
- Fines of up to 30,000 euros, depending on the community.
- Closure of the activity.
- Blocking of the advertisement on digital platforms.
- Complaints from homeowners associations or inspectors.
Registration of tourist apartments: why hire a law firm?
The process may seem simple, but mistakes can be very costly. Our firm offers:
- Complete processing in all autonomous communities.
- Legal advice on urban compatibility, local regulations and contracts.
- Defense in case of sanctions or administrative procedures.
- Representation before the administrations.
Complementary services for owners
- Drafting of contracts for temporary rental.
- Tax advice: VAT, IRPF, IAE.
- Study of the regulations of the community of owners.
- Procedures before the City Council, Tourism and Finance.
- Compliance with accessibility, energy and safety regulations.
Registration of tourist apartments: how to process it step by step
- Consultation of regional requirements.
- Registration in the corresponding regional registry.
- Obtaining the regional registration number.
- Registration in the Single Registry of Leases through the Digital Window.
- Registration in the Property Registry.
Frequently asked questions about the registration of tourist apartments
Do I have to register my apartment if I only rent it a few weeks a year?
Yes. The law does not distinguish the frequency: if it is offered as a short-term rental, it must be registered.
Can I advertise my home on Airbnb without registering?
No. Platforms must verify that the accommodation is duly registered.
How long does registration take?
It depends on the autonomous community. We process it in the shortest possible time and will provide you with a Temporary Registration Number. Once the Registry verifies that the data and information provided is correct, it will send us the Definitive Registration Number.
Is it mandatory to register it in the Land Registry?
Yes. Registration in the Land Registry is mandatory as part of the procedure established by Royal Decree 1312/2024.
Contact us
If you have an apartment that you rent by days or weeks, regularize your situation and avoid sanctions. Contact our firm and leave the registration and legal management in the hands of expert lawyers.
