In May 2025, one of Europe's most popular travel destinations, Spain, made headlines worldwide: the Ministry of Consumer Affairs ordered Airbnb to block 65,935 tourist rental listings. If you are dreaming of the sun-soaked beaches of the Costa del Sol, the vibrant streets of Barcelona or the charming countryside of Andalusia, you may be wondering: where can I legally stay now?
The good news: Spain is very much open for visitors. What changed is that legal, licensed rentals are now the rule, and spotting them is easy once you know what to look for. This guide explains what happened, what the rules look like today, and how to rent a holiday home or a long-term home in Spain the right way.
Why Did Spain Order 65,000 Airbnb Listings Removed?
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (announcement of 30 May 2025), the listings broke consumer rules in three ways: most often they showed no licence or registration number; some did not say whether the host was a professional or a private individual; and some showed licence numbers that did not match official records. Airbnb appealed, and the Madrid High Court upheld the ministry's first decision, ordering the immediate removal of 5,800 listings across Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands and the Basque Country.
Behind the order lies a wider debate about rising rents and crowded city centres. The aim is simple: tourism that stays sustainable, neighbourhoods where residents can still afford to live, and rentals that meet safety and legal standards. If you own a property in Spain and want to rent it out, read our guide How to Secure Your Property Under Spain's Rental Law.
What Are the Rules Today?
Spain's short-term rental rules are set mainly by its 17 autonomous regions and by city councils, not by one national rule. As of October 2026:
- The licence is regional. Each region keeps its own tourist register and number (for example NIRTC in Catalonia, VT- in the Valencian Community, RTA in Andalusia, REAT in Murcia), and listings must show it.
- There is no single "30-day rule". Where a day threshold exists, it is regional: in Catalonia a stay of up to 31 days with the same guest counts as a tourist rental, in the Valencian Community up to 10 days. In Andalusia and Murcia the trigger is not the number of days but marketing the home through tourist channels.
- The planned national registration number was annulled. Spain's Supreme Court struck down the single national rental register in a ruling of 19 May 2026 (published in the BOE on 8 June 2026). Regional registers and the duty of platforms to share data with the authorities remain in force.
- Apartment buildings have a say. Since 3 April 2025, opening a flat in a residential building to tourist rental requires the express approval of three fifths of the owners' community.
What Does This Mean for Travellers?
It means booking a little more mindfully, nothing more. The enforcement targets unlicensed short-term rentals, above all in high-demand cities. A licensed holiday home remains a wonderful, perfectly legal way to discover Spain.
Can I Still Use Airbnb in Spain?
Yes. Licensed properties remain on the platform. Before you book, check that the listing shows a regional registration or licence number. Many hosts also list on other platforms, and some have moved to mid-term or long-term leases instead.
Airbnb Alternatives in Spain
Whichever platform you use, the same check applies: look for the licence number.
- Booking.com: a wide choice of apartments, villas and holiday homes across Spain.
- Vrbo: popular for family holidays and larger homes, especially on the coast and in the countryside.
- Spotahome: focused on stays of a month or more, a good fit for remote workers, students and long winter stays.
- Spanish property portals and local agencies: sites such as Idealista and Fotocasa list both holiday and long-term rentals. A local agency adds what a website cannot: someone who knows the rules of that town.
Long-Term and Mid-Term Rentals in Spain
More and more owners now offer stays of several months, and for anyone relocating, working remotely or wintering in the sun, this is often the smartest choice: more space, a better price than a hotel and a real neighbourhood life. Keep in mind that mid-term stays have rules of their own too. In Andalusia, a stay of more than two months with the same tenant falls outside the tourist regime; in Catalonia, a new law on seasonal rentals has applied since 1 January 2026. For these stays, expect a written contract and a refundable deposit.
Cities With the Strictest Rules
- Barcelona: no new tourist licences have been granted since 2017, and the city has announced that its roughly 10,000 existing tourist flats are to stop operating in November 2028.
- Málaga: since 23 August 2025, new tourist rental registrations are suspended across the whole municipality, for a maximum of three years.
- Valencia city: since May 2026, new tourist flats are limited to ground and first floors with an independent entrance, within saturation limits.
Smaller towns and rural areas are generally less restricted, but rules differ from town to town, so always check the specific address.
How to Legally Rent in Spain
- Check the licence: a holiday rental listing should show its regional registration number.
- Know the rental type: holiday, seasonal (mid-term) or long-term. Each has different rules, and the limits depend on the region.
- Use reputable platforms and agencies: ask for the licence number if you cannot see it.
- Get it in writing: for longer stays, sign a rental contract and keep the receipt for your deposit.
Spain is not closing its doors; it is choosing better, fairer tourism. Whether it is a week in the Canary Islands, a month in Granada or a year in Catalonia, you can still rent legally and enjoy everything this country offers. And if you are thinking beyond renting property, a home of your own in Spain is one more way to make the sun part of your life.
In Summary:
- Legal holiday rentals in Spain are easy to find: look for the regional licence number.
- The 65,935 listings ordered removed in 2025 were mostly unlicensed ones.
- Rules are regional and local; there is no single national day limit.
- For longer stays, mid-term and long-term rentals are a great option, with a written contract.
- Rules change: check the current rules for your region and town before you book.
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