Airbnb in Spain: Is It Still Allowed? A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Airbnb’s popularity in Spain has only grown since the platform’s launch. International and domestic tourists are choosing affordable accommodations with a local vibe, easy booking and more privacy compared to traditional hotels. But the question remains: “Is Airbnb still allowed in Spain?” In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through all the aspects that play a role in this. From laws and regulations to practical tips and alternatives – everything is covered.

Introduction: Why is Airbnb so popular in Spain?

Spain’s appeal as a holiday destination is unparalleled. Vibrant cities, sunny beaches, picturesque villages and a rich culture make it an ideal place for a holiday. The rise of platforms such as Airbnb has made staying in Spain more accessible to a wide audience. But why do so many people choose Airbnb in Spain?

• Local experience: Airbnbs offer a unique opportunity to stay in a Spaniard's home or apartment, often right in the heart of local neighborhoods.
• Flexibility and price: Compared to hotels, Airbnb accommodations are often cheaper, more flexible, and offer more space.
• Different options: Whether you're looking for a studio in Barcelona, a villa on the Costa del Sol or a finca in Mallorca, Airbnb has it all.
• Self-sufficient: With your own kitchen and facilities you can save money and enjoy local markets and food.

But this growth brings questions and challenges, especially when it comes to legislation and regulations.

History of Airbnb in Spain: From Golden Years to Regulation

When Airbnb launched globally in 2007, it didn’t take long for the platform to catch on in popular destinations like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. What started as a revolutionary way to travel grew into a multi-billion dollar business in Spain, even influencing the local housing market in some places.

The explosive growth in the number of Airbnbs has raised concerns among local governments and residents:

• Rising rents for locals
• Overtourism in inner cities
• Lack of regulation and quality requirements
• Unfair competition with hotels

To address these challenges, laws and regulations have been introduced at national, regional and local levels to limit and control the number of holiday rental companies.

Current Legislation: Is Airbnb Still Allowed in Spain?

The short answer is: yes, Airbnb is still allowed in Spain. But… There are strict rules and these differ per region or city. This makes it important to check carefully what applies in your (holiday) location before you book or offer an Airbnb.

Important to know:

• Decentralised rules: Each autonomous region may set its own rules.
• Reporting requirement: Many cities require landlords to register and apply for a permit.
• Stricter controls: Regular checks and hefty fines for violations.
• Maximum number of days: In some areas, you are only allowed to rent out your home for a certain number of days per year.
• New restrictions: Major cities sometimes impose a (temporary) freeze on new registrations.

Regulations by Region: What are the Differences?

Airbnb regulations in Spain vary greatly by region or even by city. Below we explain (as of 2024) the most important differences for the most visited places.

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the strictest cities in terms of regulations. Renting out your home to tourists is only allowed if you have a permit and receive a HUT number (Habitatges d'Ús Turístic). Since 2021, it has been virtually impossible to obtain new permits in many neighborhoods because the city has frozen the number of Airbnbs to protect living space.

Important:

• Fines of up to €60,000 for illegal rental
• Regular checks, also via online platforms
• All advertisements must display the HUT number

Madrid

Madrid follows a similar policy, but is a bit more flexible. Landlords must register and meet strict requirements for safety, hygiene and accessibility.

• Registration with the tourist register is mandatory
• Minimum requirements for home size and facilities
• Homes must have a separate entrance (special rule downtown Madrid)

Valencia

Valencia is also seeing strong growth in holiday rentals. Since 2023, the rules have been tightened.

• Permit required (and ceiling on number of homes per district)
• Strict quality and safety standards
• No more permits for apartments in the old city centre

Baleares (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca)

The houses are also popular on the islands. But the pressure on the housing market is so great that the government has severely limited the number of licenses.

• Permit required; often years of waiting lists
• Strict requirements regarding the environment, noise pollution and waste
• Cities like Palma have banned new permits in popular neighborhoods
• Strict controls, especially in high season

Andalusia (Seville, Malaga, Granada)

In Andalusia, the rules are a little less strict, especially outside the big cities. You still have to comply with registration and safety requirements.

• Registration with the Junta de Andalucía Tourist Register is mandatory
• Detailed requirements such as fire extinguishers, information folder in multiple languages, and fixed prices
• Strict enforcement in Seville and Malaga

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have their own regulations. In some areas you are allowed to rent out a house as a private individual, but in areas that are labelled as “touristy”, there is often a ban unless you meet strict conditions.

• Registration required with local government
• Special zones where holiday homes are or are not allowed
• Very high fines for non-compliance

Airbnb as a Guest in Spain: What to look out for?

Most guests are not aware of any regulations, but this one is important:

1. Choose an official accommodation: When booking, check whether the host includes a permit number in the advertisement.
2. When in doubt: Ask the rental company for the registration certificate or the HUT/VFT/Touristic License number.
3. Don't accept 'illegal' offers: If you come across an offer without registration, be careful – fines can also be passed on to guests on paper.
4. Always pay through the platform: To be protected in case of problems, you must process your payment through Airbnb.

Officially registered accommodations often have better hygiene, safety and service – which is also to your advantage as a traveler!

Airbnb as a Host in Spain: How to do it legally correct?

Do you want to rent out your own (holiday) home via Airbnb in Spain? Then there are different obligations than for hotels, but you do have to adhere to a number of strict Spanish laws.

Step-by-step plan for Legal Rental

1. Check regional regulations: Start within your autonomous region or municipality; sometimes the rules differ per district.
2. Apply for a permit: In almost all regions, registration or a permit is required.
3. Register with the tourist register: You do this with the autonomous region (such as Junta de Andalucía, Generalitat de Catalunya, etc.).
4. Please take other rules into account: Think of neighbour rights, rest periods, waste and safety.
5. Pay taxes: Income from holiday rentals is always taxed , both locally and possibly in the Netherlands/Belgium.

Important Documentation and Requirements

• Fire safety (extinguishers, escape routes, smoke detectors)
• Payment of tourist tax
• Make sure you have a complaints book (“Libro de Reclamaciones”)
• Information pack in multiple languages
• Registration of guests with the Guardia Civil (mandatory within 24 hours of arrival)

Fines for Violation

Fines range from €600 to sometimes €600,000 for repeated or serious violations (for example in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands). In addition to fines, you can lose your license and even be held criminally responsible if accidents occur in an unregistered home.

Political Discussion: Airbnb Under Fire in Spain

The debate about holiday rentals in Spain is politically explosive. Local residents complain that the quality of life is deteriorating, young people can no longer buy or rent a house, and the “authentic” character of neighborhoods is disappearing. At the same time, Airbnb is an indispensable source of income for many households.

Arguments against Airbnb

• Displacement of local residents by investors buying up properties
• Rising rental and purchase prices
• Nuisance (parties, noise, waste)
• Empty neighborhoods outside the tourist season
• Pressure on infrastructure and facilities

Arguments in favor of Airbnb

• Additional source of income for families and small investors
• Tourists choose Spain more often than other countries
• More spread of tourism outside hotels and well-known areas
• Vacancy and deterioration are being prevented
• Local shops and restaurants benefit

The balance between quality of life, economy and tourism is therefore an important theme that requires constant attention from municipalities and residents.

Recent Developments & Future Expectations (2024 and Beyond)

The regulations for holiday rentals in Spain are changing and will be tightened even further in the coming years. Some recent developments (as of June 2024):

• Freezing of permits: Many municipalities are temporarily no longer issuing new permits.
• Stricter enforcement and higher fines: Municipalities are working with platforms such as Airbnb to actively remove illegal listings.
• Integrated registration systems: Booking.com, Airbnb and other platforms now require you to add a valid permit number.
• Cap on the maximum number of rental days: In Madrid, San Sebastián and Valencia, among others, a maximum applies (for example 90 days per year).
• Ban on new Airbnbs in certain neighborhoods: Popular historic centers will be closed to new permits, with possible expansion to coastal towns.
• Tax rulings: Spain now receives rental data directly from platforms for tax collection and auditing.

Practical Tips for Booking an Airbnb in Spain

If you want to use Airbnb safely and without worries as a tourist, follow the advice below:

1. Always check the registration number: This ensures that you are booking legal accommodation.
2. Read reviews: Previous guests often report if something is wrong with the rental.
3. Pay attention to the location: Check whether the address falls within a “tourist user area”.
4. Ask for personal reception: Illegal providers often only leave a key with neighbors or in a safe.
5. Don’t pay outside the platform: This way you stay protected in case of cancellations or problems.

Also consider alternatives such as official holiday homes, local B&Bs or small hotels – often just as authentic and with more security.

Alternatives to Airbnb in Spain

While Airbnb is popular, there are a growing number of alternatives that meet local requirements – sometimes with an added dose of charm and security. A few examples:

• Booking.com: Offers both hotels and certified vacation rentals.
• HomeAway / Vrbo: Large platform for holiday homes, often with corona-proof guarantees.
• Interhome: European platform with only regulated homes.
• Local Providers: Look for local rental companies that perform their own permit checks.
• Rural Accommodation: Casas rurales or agroturismos are popular in rural areas – often bookable through local sites.

Airbnb as an Investment Model in Spain: Opportunities and Risks

Spain is attractive for investors. You buy a (holiday) home, rent it out for a few weeks via Airbnb and profit from high rental income. But there are also significant risks.

Chances

• High demand during holiday periods
• Spreading risks across different platforms
• Real estate value development
• Tax-efficient with correct tax return

Risks

• Stricter local regulation in the future
• Possibility of restricting or abolishing permits
• Fines and legal costs for violations
• Uncertainty about demand due to economic crises or changing travel behavior
• Competition increases, margins may decrease

Experiences of Tourists and Landlords: Cases & Examples

Nothing captures the imagination like real stories of people using Airbnb in Spain. Below are a few cases that show how it can go.

Case 1: Margreet from the Netherlands books an Airbnb in Barcelona

Margreet chooses an apartment in the El Born district. She falls for the pictures and the location. After arriving, it turns out that the host cannot show a permit number. Two days later, she gets a visit from the police: the house is not registered. Fortunately, she is allowed to finish her stay, but she does not feel comfortable. The host gets a hefty fine, Margreet looks for a legal “piso turistico” with a HUT number the following year.

Case 2: Antonio from Valencia rents out his flat

Antonio inherited a small apartment near the sea in Valencia. He rents it out via Airbnb, with full registration with the city council. This provides him with a considerable extra income every year and he neatly complies with all the requirements: guest registration, tourist tax, and hotel-quality bed linen. Antonio gets good reviews and never has any problems with the authorities.

Case 3: Kira and her group of friends in Ibiza

Kira books a large villa for their holiday via Airbnb. Everything seems fine, but once there, essential amenities are missing and the owner is nowhere to be found. After complaints, Airbnb takes over – their payment turns out to be safe, but they have to move to an officially registered 'agroturismo' after two nights. The lesson: always check reviews and permits!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Airbnb in Spain (2024)

Below I answer the most frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Spain, with up-to-date information.

1. Can I rent out in Spain without a permit?

In almost no region anymore. You have to apply for a permit or registration at your municipality or autonomous region. Without this number you risk high fines.

2. Can I be punished as a tourist if I book an unregistered Airbnb?

The risk lies primarily with the host, but in extreme cases you may be asked to leave, or pay part of the fine if you could demonstrably have been 'informed'. So always check the permit number!

3. Are the rules the same on the islands?

No, especially in Mallorca, Ibiza and the Canary Islands the rules are often much stricter . Especially in tourist areas there are prohibitions and stricter requirements.

4. What are the alternatives?

Outside of Airbnb, you can legally stay overnight in guesthouses, (rural) hotels, casas rurales, hostals and with local providers via registration platforms.

5. Where can I find the permit number?

Registered accommodations must always display this number on the profile page, usually as “número de licencia turística”. If it is missing, it is a risk.

6. Will the rules become stricter in the coming years?

Expectedly yes. The balance between tourism, economy and local housing needs requires continued adjustment and enforcement of policy.

Conclusion: Is Airbnb still allowed in Spain?

Airbnb is still allowed in Spain, but not without conditions. Spanish law is far ahead of Europe in restricting and controlling holiday rentals. In popular cities and regions, the rules are strict (and are getting stricter), but in rural areas and villages there is sometimes more leeway. Whether you are booking as a tourist or planning to rent out, it always pays to check local rules and adhere to the requirements.

When in doubt: contact the local tourist information or municipality. This way you avoid unpleasant surprises and at the same time contribute to more sustainable tourism in Spain.

Read More

• Official Spanish Tourist Office
• Airbnb's own information about Spain
• Spanish Government Portal (la Moncloa)
• Official State Bulletin: Spanish legal texts

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Feel free to share your experiences with Airbnb in Spain in the comments!