Practical guides
Spanish short-term rental regulations explained in plain English, no legalese.
The ruling that lets your neighbors veto you even if you have a license
STS 642/2026 confirms that a homeowners' association can ban short-term rentals by a 3/5 majority even if the property has a valid regional license. License and association are two separate layers.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
Seasonal rental vs. short-term rental: the legal difference that decides if you need a license
Confusing a seasonal rental with a short-term tourist rental is a common and costly mistake. We explain the criteria used to tell them apart and why it varies by region.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
The Supreme Court strikes down the state registry (STS 620/2026): what it means and what's still mandatory
STS 620/2026 struck down the single state short-term rental registry for overstepping into regional powers. We explain what changes and what doesn't.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
SES.Hospedajes: what it is, who must comply, and what happens if you don't register guests within 24h
SES.Hospedajes is the mandatory guest registration system, due within 24h of arrival. We explain who's obligated and the regional exceptions.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
Fines for illegal short-term rentals in 2026: how much it can cost you, by region
Penalty amounts for operating without registration or breaching short-term rental rules vary widely by region. We review what's been verified.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
Modelo 179: the tax filing that lets the tax authority cross-check you against Airbnb and Booking
Modelo 179 is filed by the platforms, not by you — but the tax authority cross-checks that data against your declared income. Here's what that means in practice.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
My homeowners' association wants to ban my short-term rental: what does the law say?
Since April 2025, the reform of the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal lets homeowners' associations approve or ban tourist use by a 3/5 majority. Here's what that means.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
How to legalize your short-term rental: a city-by-city guide (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Palma)
The process for legalizing a short-term rental changes by region and, in big cities, comes with an added municipal layer. We cover the 4 biggest markets.
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026
2026 checklist: the 7 legal requirements for your short-term rental (2-minute test)
The 7 points that platforms, the tax authority, and your regional government check for short-term rentals.
Last updated: 5 Jul 2026
Airbnb is removing listings without a registration number: how to stop yours getting pulled
Platforms are required to remove short-term rental listings that lack a valid registration number. Here's how to avoid it.
Last updated: 5 Jul 2026