Spain Implements New Regulations for Short-Term Rentals Amid High Demand
The Spanish government prepares to establish a unique registry for short-term rentals as part of a broader regulatory framework.
As of July 1, 2023, Spain will activate a unique registry for short-term rentals, including tourist accommodations and seasonal rentals.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda (MIVAU) has received 98,126 applications for legal registration of short-term rental properties, of which 51,087, or 52%, have been granted, while 10,675 applications, accounting for 11%, have been rejected.
An additional 36,364 applications, representing 37%, remain under evaluation by registrars.
This regulatory initiative follows the approval of a Royal Decree in December 2022, which outlines the procedures for a unique registry and establishes a digital window for the collection and exchange of data regarding short-term rental services.
The registry, effective from July 1, is intended to create a comprehensive record of short-term rental properties, a move that underscores Spain's position as the first country in the European Union to implement a regulation requiring member states to establish a short-term rental information system.
The urgency from the government to enforce this measure is partly driven by the rapid increase in short-term rentals that have been less regulated under Spain's housing laws.
According to recent data, short-term rentals surged by 25% in the first quarter of 2023, representing 14% of the total rental market.
In contrast, traditional rental offerings have decreased by 3%, intensifying market pressures on rental prices.
The new law targets short-term rentals that generate economic remuneration, applicable to entire urban properties or parts thereof, and encompasses accommodations on boats or vessels, provided they are not tied to services enabling navigation, which are subject to other regulations.
Landlords will be required to obtain a registration number, maintain updated information, and respond to any related inquiries, including reporting changes in data to the online platforms facilitating these rentals.
Notably, 76% of the received applications pertain to tourist rentals, with the largest portion originating from Catalonia, which has submitted 22,044 applications—22% of the national total—with Andalucía having the highest overall count.
As Spain prepares to implement this regulatory framework, responses from stakeholders in the rental market continue to evolve in the context of changing economic conditions and regulatory environments.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda (MIVAU) has received 98,126 applications for legal registration of short-term rental properties, of which 51,087, or 52%, have been granted, while 10,675 applications, accounting for 11%, have been rejected.
An additional 36,364 applications, representing 37%, remain under evaluation by registrars.
This regulatory initiative follows the approval of a Royal Decree in December 2022, which outlines the procedures for a unique registry and establishes a digital window for the collection and exchange of data regarding short-term rental services.
The registry, effective from July 1, is intended to create a comprehensive record of short-term rental properties, a move that underscores Spain's position as the first country in the European Union to implement a regulation requiring member states to establish a short-term rental information system.
The urgency from the government to enforce this measure is partly driven by the rapid increase in short-term rentals that have been less regulated under Spain's housing laws.
According to recent data, short-term rentals surged by 25% in the first quarter of 2023, representing 14% of the total rental market.
In contrast, traditional rental offerings have decreased by 3%, intensifying market pressures on rental prices.
The new law targets short-term rentals that generate economic remuneration, applicable to entire urban properties or parts thereof, and encompasses accommodations on boats or vessels, provided they are not tied to services enabling navigation, which are subject to other regulations.
Landlords will be required to obtain a registration number, maintain updated information, and respond to any related inquiries, including reporting changes in data to the online platforms facilitating these rentals.
Notably, 76% of the received applications pertain to tourist rentals, with the largest portion originating from Catalonia, which has submitted 22,044 applications—22% of the national total—with Andalucía having the highest overall count.
As Spain prepares to implement this regulatory framework, responses from stakeholders in the rental market continue to evolve in the context of changing economic conditions and regulatory environments.
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