State Register of Tourist Rental Homes: what it involves and how it affects owners and platforms

Published July 10, 2025

As of July 1, 2025, Spain's new State Register of Tourist Rental Homes (Registro Estatal de Viviendas de Uso Turístico) comes into force. This register marks a major change in the regulation of tourist rentals and will have direct consequences for both owners and platforms such as Airbnb, Booking or Vrbo.

A decisive step toward controlling tourist rentals

The new state register is not just a database: it is the Government's key tool for identifying and controlling the tourist rental homes that operate legally across the country. At Aray Asociados, we would point out that this measure does not replace regional regulations; it builds on them to strengthen compliance with the law throughout Spain.

From now on, every home advertised on digital platforms must have a state registration number, which can only be obtained if the owner already holds the relevant valid tourist license granted by the autonomous community (comunidad autónoma, the regional government).

What does this mean for owners?

Anyone who wants to rent their home to tourists must:

Obtain the regional tourist license under the rules of their autonomous community.
Register the home in the State Register.
Include the registration number in every listing published on digital platforms.

If these steps are not followed, the home cannot be legally advertised, and both the owner and the platform face administrative penalties.

Fines and blocked listings: the end of impunity

One of the most novel elements of this regulation is the obligation now placed on digital platforms to verify that every listing carries the state registration number. If they publish listings that do not meet this requirement, they can be penalized too. In this respect, the Government is changing its approach: it no longer goes after the owner alone, it also holds the large tourist accommodation platforms accountable.

The Ministry of Housing (Ministerio de Vivienda) has announced that it will work in coordination with the tax authorities (Hacienda), the autonomous communities and the platforms themselves to cross-check data and detect unregistered homes. The purpose of this comprehensive oversight is to reduce the number of homes operating outside the legal framework.

Expected impact on the market

The effect of this regulation will be felt especially in areas under heavy tourist pressure, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or the Mediterranean coast. Many owners who cannot or do not want to regularize their situation may choose to leave the tourist rental market and return to traditional residential renting, which could slightly ease the housing supply shortage and the pressure on prices in certain areas.

However, there is also a risk: small owners who do want to do things properly could run into administrative hurdles or complex requirements that make the process harder. At our firm, we recommend getting reliable information on the procedures required in each autonomous community.

What if my home is already rented out?

If you already rent out your home through platforms such as Airbnb or Booking, you must check whether you hold a valid tourist license. If you do, you should register the home in the State Register as soon as possible. If you do not, your listing could be blocked and you could receive an administrative penalty.

In summary

As of July 1, 2025, no home may be advertised on tourist platforms unless it is registered in the State Register of Tourist Rental Homes.
To register, you must first hold a regional tourist license.
Platforms are required to verify that the registration number is valid and can be penalized if they publish listings without one.
The main goal is to put an end to illegal tourist rentals and tighten control over this type of activity.
Owners who do not comply with the regulation may face significant fines and the removal of their listings.

At Aray Asociados, we have helped many clients regularize their tourist rental homes. If you are thinking about renting out your property or have questions about how this new regulation affects your case, our team can help you assess its feasibility, obtain the tourist license and handle your registration in the state register.