The introduction of a national registry for tourist accommodation has become one of the most talked-about topics in Spain. The new requirements have affected not only apartment owners but also regional authorities, who are now being forced to reconsider their powers. The system, designed to bring order to the short-term rental market, has already led to mass rejections of licenses and cast doubt on the future of thousands of properties.
Conflict of interest
Since July 1, Spain has mandated a registry for everyone renting out property to tourists through online platforms. Now, each property must undergo an additional review by state registrars, even if it already had approval from its autonomous community. This decision caused sharp discontent in Andalusia, where in a short period more than 21,000 rental applications were rejected. Meanwhile, the regional registry lists over 166,000 properties.
Apartment owners have encountered unexpected obstacles. For example, a property owner in Cádiz, despite holding a valid license, couldn’t get approval in the new registry due to restrictions outlined in his residential complex’s bylaws. Now, he is forced to look for alternative ways to let his apartment without breaking the law.
Legal battles
Andalusia was the first to file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, insisting that tourism and rental issues fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the regions. Local authorities believe that duplicating registries infringes on their rights and creates confusion for property owners. Professional associations, such as the Federation of Tourist Apartments of Catalonia, have joined them and also taken legal action.
According to market participants, the ministry is using the new registry to appear proactive in tackling the housing crisis, but in practice it creates additional bureaucratic barriers. Owners complain that they now have to gather more documents than those required by European legislation, and inspections often go beyond the formal requirements.
Europe’s response
The issue of double registration has reached the European Commission. Brussels has demanded that Spain eliminate duplication by May 20, when the pan-European regulation on short-term rentals comes into effect. According to the new rules, an owner should not have to register more than once and is not required to provide information beyond established standards.
If Spain fails to comply with these requirements, the country faces fines, the size of which depends on the seriousness and duration of the violation. The Ministry of Housing insists that only the national registry has legal force, while regional lists are merely auxiliary tools. The agency considers Andalusia’s actions an attempt at political pressure at the European level, according to El Pais.
Impact on the market
The situation has already led many owners to change their rental strategies. Some are leaving major platforms and seeking tenants through agencies or social networks to avoid the risk of fines. This could reshape the market and affect the availability of tourist accommodation in popular regions.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in the number of tourist apartments, causing discontent among locals and affecting long-term rental prices. In 2024, similar disputes emerged in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, where authorities also tried to limit short-term rentals. Back then, local courts supported some restrictions, but the issue of regional and national powers remained unresolved. Now the situation has escalated due to new European rules and tighter national controls.
