Tourist licence and registration:what short-term landlords need.
Updated 12 November 2026 · 2 minute read
The short answer
To let your Spanish home to tourists you need a tourist licence from your region, and its number goes in every listing. The national register introduced in July 2025 was annulled by the Supreme Court in May 2026.
What licence do you need?
Each of Spain’s regions runs its own register of tourist homes. You register the home, receive a licence number, and show that number in every advert. Airbnb and Booking.com ask for it when you list.
The conditions differ by region and sometimes by town. Some areas limit new licences or exclude certain buildings.
What happened to the national register?
From 1 July 2025, Spain required a national registration number for every short-term rental advertised on a platform. In May 2026 the Supreme Court annulled that register, ruling that it overlapped with the regional ones. Since June 2026 the national number is no longer required.
Platforms still have to check that every listing shows a valid registration number. That number is now your regional one.
What about your building?
In an apartment building, the owners’ community can limit or refuse tourist letting. Since April 2025, starting a new tourist let generally needs the community’s approval first. Check the community’s rules before you apply.
What does this have to do with tax?
Nothing changes in your tax. With or without a licence, the rent is taxable and goes on Modelo 210. Letting without a licence can bring a separate fine from the region.
Questions
I already had a national number. Is it still valid?
It is no longer required. Your regional licence number is the one platforms need.
Do I need a licence if I only let to friends?
Rules differ by region. Paid stays advertised to the public almost always need one.
Where do I apply?
With the tourism department of your region. Many gestors handle the application.
Bookings, income and costs,in one place.
Casatax keeps your income, costs and bookings in one place, and prepares your Spanish return. Your gestor files it.
Join waiting listSources
This is general information, not tax advice. Rules and dates change, so check your own situation with your gestor.