The List Of The Spanish Cities That No Longer Issue Tourist License

As Spain fights the effects of overtourism, major cities are saying 'no' to tourist licenses and increasing fines for unauthorized rentals. 

Is your city next on the list to tighten controls, and how might it impact your rental strategy? 

Let’s find out. 

Tourist license in Spain: an overview

Renting out your property in Spain after buying it can be a smart move. But to do that, you’ll need a Tourist License that would make it a legal Vivienda Vacacional property. 

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By having connections with major Spanish lenders, you can request and compare multiple offers to find the one that suits you best. 

Every region has different requirements for obtaining a tourist license. 

The process generally involves submitting an application, passing a home inspection, paying the fee, and registering the property. 

Region-specific regulations

Some areas have additional requirements. For instance, in the Valencian region, you must obtain an urbanistic certificate confirming the property is suitable for tourist rentals and rent entire properties, not individual rooms. 

In the Canary Islands, you can only rent if the property has a tourist license and an exploitation company manages the rentals. 

In the Balearic Islands, you must purchase a license known as beds for the number of guests you intend to accommodate. In Murcia, you must display a sign outside the property confirming its registration with the Tourism Registry.

What Spanish cities NO longer issue tourist licenses? 

In response to the growing tourist population and expat community, several Spanish cities have recently suspended issuing tourist licenses. Others are limiting the number of properties eligible for rent.

While the newly imposed rules don’t apply to those who already have a tourist license in Spain, here is a list of cities that currently have bans or restrictions on tourist licenses: 

What other alternatives are available if you want to rent out your property?

If you’re still interested in investing in Spain’s rental market but obtaining a tourist license is not feasible, there are several alternatives to consider. 

1. Buy a property that already has a tourist license 

This is an efficient way to bypass the complexities of obtaining a new license and ensure that the property complies with local regulations. 

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2. Long-term rentals

The tourist license requirement in Spain is for short-term rentals only. This means renting out your property for extended periods (six months or more) does not require a tourist license. 

3. Student accommodation

If your property is near educational facilities, consider renting it to students. Student housing is in consistent demand during the academic year and can be a great source of income if a tourist license is not an option.

Spanish cities that offer tourist licenses

While some major tourist hubs in Spain have completely halted issuing new tourist licenses, many cities still allow non-residents to rent out their properties under certain conditions. 

Here are a few: 

Key things to consider when planning to rent your property in Spain as a foreigner

Once you have a tourist license, there are several things you must do when renting out your property in Spain: 

• Declare your rental income and pay the corresponding taxes (19% tax on net rental income for EU residents and 24%​ for non-EU residents) 
• Register each guest with the local police  
• Have civil liability insurance 
• Renew your license within the given timeframe 
• Display a sign that the property is officially registered with the local tourism authority

Final thoughts

With major cities tightening the restrictions on tourist rentals, keeping up with the latest changes can help you make better decisions in Spain's rental market. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know when planning to buy a property to rent out.  

Sources used and checked in June 2024:

1. How to get a tourist license in Spain
2. Ministerio de Industria y turismo
3. Madrid suspends granting of new holiday rental licenses until 2025
4. Valencia suspends permits for holiday apartments
5. Spain’s Touristic Licence
6. Tourist license in Ibiza
7. Tourist license in Spain

We recommend obtaining professional or specialist advice before taking or refraining from any action based on the content in this article. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Homevest Limited. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties, or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is accurate, complete, or up to date.