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El blog de Maria

Your daily Spanish Law reporter. Have it with a cafe con leche. www.costaluzlawyers.es

Legal tip 1504. Mandatory Registration for Short-Term Rentals in Spain Starting July 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 @ 6:30 PM

Mandatory Registration for Short-Term Rentals in Spain

Starting July 1, 2025, it will be a legal requirement to register properties used for short-term rentals, such as those listed on platforms like Airbnb, Booking, or Vrbo. The registration process must be completed through the Digital Single Window for Rentals, which is managed by the College of Registrars.

 Why is Registration Necessary?

  1. Legal Compliance: The new law ensures that all properties being rented for short-term stays comply with local and national regulations. This includes meeting safety, hygiene, and zoning requirements.

  2. Transparency and Control: Registering your property allows authorities to keep track of the growing short-term rental market and ensures that landlords adhere to the established rules. This helps in reducing illegal or unregulated rental activities.

  3. Fair Competition: The registration process helps to level the playing field for all property owners, ensuring that legal rentals are distinguishable from those that may be operating outside the law.

  4. Trust and Credibility: For renters and guests, having a registered property can increase confidence. It shows that the property owner is following the regulations and providing a safe, legal space for visitors.

How to Register Your Property

  1. Access the College of Registrars’ Online Platform: Visit the official website of the College of Registrars at https://sede.registradores.org to begin the registration process.

  2. Identify Yourself: You’ll need a digital certificate or electronic ID to verify your identity. This ensures that the registration is properly linked to you as the property owner.

  3. Complete the Registration Form: The form will require basic details about your property, including its address, type of rental (whether you're renting the entire property or individual rooms), and the maximum number of guests allowed.

  4. Attach the Required Documents:

    • Property title deed.

    • Energy efficiency certificate.

    • If applicable, a tourist license.

    • Any other local permits or authorizations that may be required by your municipality.

  5. Receive Your Registration Number: Once your property is successfully registered, you’ll receive a unique registration number. This number must be included in all online listings for your property, such as those on Airbnb or Booking.

What Happens If You Don’t Register?

Failure to comply with the registration requirement can result in penalties, including fines. In addition, rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking may remove your listings if your property isn’t registered in the official system. This could severely impact your ability to rent out the property legally and reach potential guests.

Stay Ahead of the Deadline

With the new rules taking effect in just a few months, it’s important to start the registration process sooner rather than later. By doing so, you ensure that your property is ready for short-term rentals and avoid any last-minute issues.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

Best wishes

María



Like 1




12 Comments


rob_j1 said:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 6:00 AM

More regulations. And I'm guessing more costs. Bloody hell...


tonyl said:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 3:42 PM

Does this new regulation apply if you only rent to friends and family, and don't advertise it publicly for rental?


pjck said:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 4:13 PM

Why is registration neccessary?
SImply - to make things more complicated and difficult.


pjck said:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 4:15 PM

And this registration number requires another number - CRU. I know where it should be but itis not there.

Then - whe can I get energy efficiency document from?
I am not in Spain.

Not mentioning. I don't have digital certificate or signature...


mariadecastro said:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 7:45 PM

I’ve answered all your questions below:

Q: Does the new regulation apply if you only rent to friends and family and don’t advertise the property publicly?

A: Yes. Under Royal Decree 1155/2024, the obligation to register can still apply even if you rent to friends or family and don’t advertise on platforms like Airbnb.
What matters is:

If the rental is for profit (even symbolic payment),

If it’s short-term (less than 31 days per stay),

And if it happens repeatedly or forms part of a regular rental pattern.

Even word-of-mouth or private arrangements can fall under the definition of short-term rental if the use is habitual and lucrative.

Q: Why is registration necessary?
A: The registration is required to:

Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and habitability standards,

Monitor and control housing used for tourism,

Enforce rules like energy efficiency and accessibility,

Protect consumers and prevent illegal rentals.

Q: What is the CRU number, and what if I can’t find it?
A: The CRU (Código Registral Único) is a unique property identifier from Spain’s land registry (Catastro).
You can find it here: https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es by entering your property address.
If it’s missing, it may be due to registry delays, a recent property division, or a mismatch between records. A local gestor or registry office can help you locate or resolve this.

Q: Where can I get the Energy Efficiency Certificate (CEE) if I’m not in Spain?
A: The CEE is required for all rentals. If you’re abroad:

You can hire a certified technician in Spain (architect or engineer).

They can usually arrange access and issue the certificate without your presence.

There are agencies that specialize in this service remotely.

Q: What if I don’t have a digital certificate or electronic signature?
A: You still have options:

Grant power of attorney to someone in Spain (a gestor, lawyer, or trusted contact) so they can complete the process for you.

Request a digital certificate from your nearest Spanish consulate, although this may take some time.




Derek15 said:
Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 2:48 PM

How can I check if a property is registered - my neighbour is advertising a property without stating the registration number.


mariadecastro said:
Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 2:52 PM

Derek15: Where is the property located? What region?


Derek15 said:
Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 3:32 PM

It’s in Benijófar


mariadecastro said:
Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 4:03 PM

To find out if a property (for example, in Benijófar) is registered as a tourist rental, you can search the Valencian Community’s Tourism Registry. The database is public and free to access:

https://www.turisme.gva.es/datosabiertos/recursos-turisticos/viviendas-turisticas/

You can search by address, town, or property name.

From July 1, 2025, it will also be mandatory to register all short-term rentals (under one year) in the new National Digital Registry, and listings must display a valid registration number.

If a property is advertised without this number, it may be operating outside of legal requirements.


Spanishhouse2010 said:
Sunday, June 1, 2025 @ 9:34 AM

Can the owner / property be removed from the registration if there is a problem with antisocial tourists. Many tourist accommodation owners have no control over the behaviour of the tourists. The key holding / cleaning firms deny all responsibility. Unless there is a threat to the owners of the property being closed and therefore no income, registration will be a waste of time. I know the administrator of a community can take action, it is very costly and the courts are not quick.


rob_j1 said:
Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 5:36 AM

I'm a bit sick and tired of being told what I can or cant do with my own private property. If government wants to control property, they can buy it themselves.

I'm going to sell my property at some point. I was going to keep it for a few more years, but why should I bother when I can invest elsewhere without so many headaches?


mariadecastro said:
Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 10:03 AM

Rob: I get your frustration. Spain’s rules—60 % condo approval, VUT registration, 90-day cap and police reporting—are tough, whereas Italy only needs a CIN code and flat tax, Greece taxes 3+ units with 13 % VAT plus an € 8/day levy, Croatia demands 80 % condo consent and high property taxes, and Turkey limits you to 100 nights with unanimous neighbor approval and huge fines. Spain is indeed one of the most regulated, but Turkey’s 100-night cap and Croatia’s neighbor-consent rule can be even harsher—so it really comes down to how much bureaucracy you’re willing to tolerate.

Spainhouse2010: Yes. If neighbours file repeated complaints (noise, vandalism, public‐order issues), authorities can suspend or revoke your tourist licence—even after registration. A 60 % homeowners’ vote can force the municipality to withdraw your VUT/CNVT. Courts can also order closure, though legal action is costly and slow. Use strict guest contracts and active neighbour communication to minimize risks.


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