Recent Legal Changes Regarding Tourist Accommodation in Spain

In recent months, a key change has occurred: the Supreme Court has annulled the national system for the single registry of tourist accommodation, ruling that the regulation of this matter falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the autonomous communities. This has restored the regulatory leadership to Catalonia, which already had its own control system.

In this new scenario, the Catalan Tourism Registry and municipal licenses regain their central role. Local councils have greater power to limit or even prohibit new licenses in high-demand areas, especially in cities with high tourist and residential pressure.

Furthermore, Catalonia maintains an active policy of license control and penalties, with more frequent inspections and the use of digital tools to detect illegal listings on rental platforms. This aims to reduce fraud and balance the market for permanent housing. Another relevant aspect is the trend toward restricting tourist rentals in multi-family buildings, where residents' associations can limit or prohibit this activity through their bylaws—an increasingly common measure in urban areas.

At Immosegur, we've observed that this regulatory framework is causing a shift in strategy among owners: many are opting for mid-term or traditional rentals due to regulatory uncertainty and increasing penalties.

In short, tourist rentals remain legal, but are subject to a growing degree of regulation and restrictions. The key for owners is to seek professional advice before allocating a property for this purpose, as regulations vary by municipality and can change rapidly.

At Immosegur, we always recommend verifying the current license and zoning compliance before listing any property as tourist accommodation, thus avoiding penalties and financial losses.