Understanding Spain's New Short-Term Rental Law
- nerjawithsanna
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Spain is set to roll out a new national regulation for short-term rentals starting January 2, 2025, with full enforcement effective from July 1, 2025. This law introduces a unified framework for registering and monitoring rental properties across the country, aiming to combat illegal rentals and fraud while ensuring compliance with national and EU standards. Here’s a breakdown of what property owners and platforms need to know.
Key Features of the New Law
The law applies to all short-term rentals, including tourist rentals, seasonal rentals, and room rentals, whether offered professionally or privately. Key aspects include:
National Registry: Property owners must register their rentals with a national digital system, obtaining a unique identification number. This number must be displayed in online advertisements.
Platform Obligations: Platforms like Airbnb must verify the registration number for each property and ensure it is visible on listings. They are required to share data with authorities monthly and remove unregistered or non-compliant listings within 48 hours of notification.
Ventanilla Única Digital: A centralized digital portal will handle data transmission between platforms and authorities, streamlining compliance and enforcement.
What Does This Mean for Property Owners?
Property owners must:
Register their properties through the designated national system.
Provide detailed property information, including the type of rental, maximum occupancy, and compliance with local regulations.
Maintain an active registration number, renewing it annually or as required.
Ensure compliance with both national and regional regulations.
Failing to meet these requirements can result in penalties or removal from online platforms.
Specific Requirements in Andalusia
For property owners in Nerja, Málaga, and the rest of Andalusia, the new national requirements complement, but do not replace, the existing "Vivienda con Fines Turísticos" (VFT) licensing system. Here’s what you need to know:
VFT License Still Required: All short-term rentals in Andalusia must have a VFT license, obtained by registering with the Andalusian Tourism Registry (Registro de Turismo de Andalucía). This ensures compliance with regional standards for safety, amenities, and guest services.
Dual Registration Needed: Property owners in Andalusia must comply with both the regional VFT licensing requirements and the new national registration system. The two systems operate independently but aim to harmonize oversight and enforcement.
Guest Registration with Guardia Civil: Property owners are still required to register all guests through the Guardia Civil’s online portal, a practice already in place in Andalusia to ensure security and compliance with immigration laws.
How Does This Affect Existing Rentals?
If you already have a VFT license in Andalusia, you will need to:
Apply for the new national registration number when the system becomes operational.
Continue adhering to the regional VFT requirements.
Ensure your property information is consistent across both systems to avoid penalties or listing removals.
Timeline and Enforcement
January 2, 2025: The system will launch in a trial phase.
July 1, 2025: The law will be fully enforced after a six-month transition period.
Sanctions: Until specific penalties are introduced, existing national, regional, and local sanctions for non-compliance will apply.
Final Thoughts
While the new law introduces additional steps for property owners, many of these practices—like guest registration and compliance with regional standards—are already familiar to Andalusian rental operators. The goal of the new framework is to unify and simplify the process on a national scale, improving transparency and reducing fraud.
For property owners in Nerja and across Andalusia, this is an opportunity to align with both regional and national standards, ensuring your rental operates legally and competitively in the evolving market. Stay updated with NerjawithSanna.com for more insights and guidance on navigating these changes!
