New Rules for Holiday Rentals in Spain (2025–2026)
Because there is a lot of confusion around this topic, we want to provide some clarity with this brief explanation.
Due to the ongoing housing crisis and limited availability, the Spanish government is strictly monitoring all illegal or unregistered holiday rentals. As a result, new laws were passed in 2025, and a national short-term rental registry was established: the Ventanilla Única Digital de Arrendamientos (VUDA).
Additionally, since April 3, 2025, Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) can decide whether an owner may apply for a tourist license. HOAs can completely prohibit holiday rentals. If you own or buy a property in Spain, it is therefore essential to check whether your HOA allows holiday rentals, as this can affect your property’s value and resale potential.
Which properties are affected?
These rules apply only to:
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Holiday rentals (alquileres vacacionales)
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Seasonal rentals (alquiler de temporada)
Each autonomous region in Spain has its own laws for these types of rentals.
Long-term rentals (alquiler de larga duración) are not included and are governed by national rental law (LAU). If you rent your property for an extended period, these rules do not apply.
For seasonal rentals (e.g., renting in winter for a few months to the same tenant), you do need an NRA number but not the regional license. If an apartment is prohibited from rental in the HOA statutes, it is not possible to obtain an NRA number, making renting illegal. Enforcement is becoming stricter, and fines are very high.
Requirements for Holiday Rentals
If you offer your property as a holiday rental, you need:
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A regional tourist license
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An NRA code (national registration number in the VUDA registry)
Important: Your HOA must explicitly approve the application for a tourist license. The only exception is if you already had a license before April 3, 2025.
Requirements for Seasonal Rentals
Seasonal rentals are short-term rentals for limited periods (e.g., for work, study, medical reasons, or temporary stays while buying a property). For seasonal rentals, only the NRA code is required; a tourist license is not needed.
Who must register in VUDA?
Registration in the new national short-term rental registry (VUDA) is mandatory for:
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Holiday homes
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Seasonal rentals
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Short-term rentals of individual rooms
All three require an NRA number.
NRA Number and Annual Registration in Spain
Since 2025, owners of holiday homes and short-term rentals must have both the regional tourist registration (via SES Hospedajes) and an NRA number, and they must report rental activities annually. This is part of a national effort to increase transparency and control over holiday rentals.
At Take a Holiday in Spain, we handle registration with SES Hospedajes and the VUDA free of charge for full rental and management services.
What is the NRA number?
The NRA number (Número de Registro de Arrendamientos) is a unique identifier assigned to your property when registering in VUDA, Spain’s national short-term rental registry at Registradores
Key points:
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Required in addition to the regional tourist license
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Must be displayed in online listings
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Allows authorities and platforms to verify that your property is legally rented
In short, the NRA number is a nationwide identifier for your rental unit, separate from the regional tourist license.
Difference Between SES Hospedajes and Regional Registration
In Andalusia, holiday rentals are registered through SES Hospedajes, the regional system.
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You must report each booking and the check-in day within 24 hours to SES Hospedajes.
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The NRA number is a national identifier to monitor all short-term rentals in Spain, regardless of region.
Important: Having an NRA number does not automatically mean you have a regional tourist license. Both registrations are required to rent legally.
Annual Registration: What It Involves
In addition to obtaining the NRA number, owners must submit an annual report of their rental activity to the national registry. This report provides an overview of all bookings and rental periods for the previous year.
Purpose of annual registration:
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Ensure transparency regarding nights rented
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Monitor tax compliance and adherence to national rules
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Prevent illegal or unregistered holiday rentals
Practically, owners must report:
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NRA number of the property
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Rental period(s)
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Number of nights
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Type of rental
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to obtain an NRA number or submit the annual report may result in:
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Very high fines
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Loss of the right to offer holiday or seasonal rentals
Practical Tips for Owners
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Apply for an NRA number as soon as you start renting on platforms (Take a Holiday in Spain handles this for clients)
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Check annually that all rental periods have been reported correctly
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Keep SES Hospedajes and NRA registry records separate; both are mandatory. Full rental/management services at Take a Holiday in Spain include this.
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Report both the start of a rental and the check-in day to SES Hospedajes, providing all required data
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Clearly display your NRA number in listings and on platforms
The NRA number and annual registration add an extra layer on top of the regional tourist license. Proper compliance prevents fines, increases transparency, and allows legal and safe holiday rentals in Spain.
Tip: A reliable property manager can handle all these requirements for you. Before partnering, confirm that they take care of this.
At Take a Holiday in Spain, this service is fully included when renting and managing your holiday property. Find out more