Why you need a licence
If you want to let your property on the Costa del Sol short-term to tourists, you need a rental licence in Andalusia. The region has strict rules for the so-called viviendas con fines turisticos, homes intended for tourist use. Letting without registration is illegal and can lead to fines running into the tens of thousands of euros.
The licence means registering your property in the Andalusian tourist register (RTA) and receiving a registration number. You must state that number in every advertisement, including on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.
Without a valid registration number you may not advertise or let. Fines for illegal tourist rental in Andalusia can run up to 150,000 euros.
When does the regime apply?
The regime applies to homes that you repeatedly offer short-term, for payment, to tourists through rental channels or platforms. If you let long-term to someone who lives there, you fall under ordinary tenancy rules and do not need this tourist licence.
The distinction lies in the nature of the rental: occasional and tourist-focused falls under the licence obligation, while permanent occupancy does not. If you are unsure which category your plans fall into, have it assessed in advance, because it determines your whole set-up and taxation.
Requirements for the property
Andalusia sets concrete requirements for a property let to tourists. The property must have a valid occupancy certificate (licencia de ocupacion) and meet a number of minimum conditions.
- A valid licencia de ocupacion or first-occupancy permit
- Sufficient cooling in the bedrooms and living areas for summer lettings, and heating in winter
- A first-aid kit and information about the region for guests
- Complaint forms (hojas de reclamaciones) available for guests
- Written information on house rules, contact details and emergency numbers
How do you apply for the licence?
The application runs through a declaration of responsibility (declaracion responsable) submitted to the Junta de Andalucia. In it you declare that the property meets the requirements. After submission you are assigned a registration number that you may use immediately.
The striking part is that you do not have to wait for a lengthy approval procedure: the registration number arrives almost immediately after the declaracion. The authorities can, however, check afterwards whether the property genuinely meets all the conditions, so do not submit an inaccurate declaration.
Watch the comunidad and local rules
A national or regional licence is not the whole story. The owners' association (comunidad de propietarios) of your complex can restrict or prohibit tourist rental. Since a change in the law, a comunidad can decide by a qualified majority to block tourist rental.
So before you buy, check the statutes and recent decisions of the comunidad if rental is part of your plan. In addition, some municipalities are working on extra restrictions in busy areas. What is allowed today may be stricter in a few years.
Before you buy, check whether the complex's comunidad permits tourist rental. A fine rental property is worthless if the association prohibits it.
Tax and administration
A licence also brings the obligation to declare your rental income correctly. For EU residents, Spain taxes the profit from rental at 19 percent, and you may deduct costs. The return is filed quarterly via the modelo 210.
In addition, you must register guest details with the authorities, a legal obligation for tourist landlords. A good rental manager or gestoria takes this administration off your hands, so that you let legally and without fines.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you need a rental licence on the Costa del Sol?
If you want to let your property on the Costa del Sol short-term to tourists, you need a rental licence in Andalusia. The region has strict rules for the so-called viviendas con fines turisticos, homes intended for tourist use. Letting without registration is illegal and can lead to fines running into the tens of thousands of euros. The licence means registering your property in the Andalusian tourist register (RTA) and receiving a registration number that you must state in every advertisement.
When does the rental licence obligation apply?
The regime applies to homes that you repeatedly offer short-term, for payment, to tourists through rental channels or platforms. If you let long-term to someone who lives there, you fall under ordinary tenancy rules and do not need this tourist licence. The distinction lies in the nature of the rental: occasional and tourist-focused falls under the licence obligation, while permanent occupancy does not.
How do you apply for a rental licence in Andalusia?
The application runs through a declaration of responsibility (declaracion responsable) submitted to the Junta de Andalucia. In it you declare that the property meets the requirements. After submission you are assigned a registration number that you may use immediately, without having to wait for a lengthy approval procedure. The authorities can, however, check afterwards whether the property genuinely meets all the conditions.
Is a VFT licence the same as a rental licence or rental permit in Andalusia?
Yes. Vivienda con fines turisticos (VFT) was the original name for this rental permit. Since the 2024 regulation, the same permit is officially called vivienda de uso turistico (VUT), although in practice the VFT designation is still widely used. Both refer to the same rental licence for short-term tourist letting, with the same registration number in the Andalusian tourist register (RTA). Because the exact requirements can differ per municipality, it is wise to always have your application checked by a local gestor or advisor before you start letting.
Letting without legal risk
Before you buy, we check whether a property may be let to tourists and we arrange the licence and administration. That way you let legally from day one.
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