Starting November 11, 2025, Logroño has imposed a one-year ban on issuing new licenses for tourist apartments, guesthouses, holiday flats, and boarding houses located in residential areas of the city. The municipality made this decision to halt the rapid growth of short-term rentals and to review the regulations for tourist accommodation within the city limits.
City officials overhaul tourism policy
Authorities in Logroño stated that suspending new permits is essential to finding a balance between residents’ interests and the development of tourism. According to officials, the situation demands urgent action: in recent years, the number of short-term rental properties has multiplied several times over, already impacting housing availability for locals.
Over the next 12 months, city officials plan to draft new rules that will more clearly regulate tourist accommodation. Possible measures include amending urban planning regulations and introducing a separate municipal standard for such types of lodging.
Housing market under pressure: facts and trends
According to the regional statistics institute, in 2025 there are nearly 1,700 tourist apartments in La Rioja, an increase of more than a quarter in just one year. In Logroño itself, there are already over 800 such properties—three times more than in 2018. For comparison, the number of rural homes in the region does not exceed 130.
The concentration of tourist apartments is especially noticeable in the historic city center: here, they account for more than 8% of the total housing stock, and among vacant apartments, this figure exceeds 15%. The municipality fears that continued growth in short-term rentals will displace permanent residents and change the character of central neighborhoods.
Causes and consequences: the administration’s perspective
The official document enacting the suspension of licensing notes that in recent years, the rental housing market in Logroño has undergone significant changes. The rise of online platforms and tourists’ demand for “authentic” experiences have led to a sharp increase in the number of short-term rental apartments.
Authorities stress that this trend raises concerns: competition with traditional hotels is rising, and local residents are facing a shortage of affordable housing. In some city districts, there is already an oversaturation of tourist accommodations, negatively impacting quality of life and social structure.
What awaits Logroño after the moratorium
Over the coming year, city authorities intend to review the urban development plan and develop new regulations for tourist rentals. Additional restrictions or requirements for property owners may be introduced once this period concludes.
For now, apartment owners and potential investors are left waiting: no new licenses are being issued, and the market is in suspense, anticipating changes. Residents hope the measures taken will help preserve the balance between the interests of tourists and locals, keeping Logroño a comfortable place to live and visit.
