Short-term rentals in Spain – where to start?
For years, Spain has been one of Europe’s most popular destinations for investing in holiday rentals. Investors are especially drawn to the Costa del Sol, including areas such as Marbella, Estepona, Málaga, and Benahavís.
The combination of an above-average number of sunny days, an international community, well-developed tourism infrastructure, and high demand for holiday stays means that investment apartments in Spain are increasingly chosen as a way to diversify capital and build an additional source of income.
However, buying an apartment for short-term rental in Spain requires much more than simply finding an attractive property.
The investor must verify:
whether the apartment can be legally rented for tourism,
What requirements apply locally?
Whether registration can be obtained?
how to prepare the property for a competitive rental market.
One of the most important elements is a tourist license in Spain—an informal term for the process that enables short-term rentals to be run legally.
It’s worth noting, though, that Spain does not have a single nationwide tourist license. Regulations for short-term rentals are set at the level of autonomous communities and local authorities, so requirements may vary depending on where the property is located.
What is a tourist license in Spain?
The term “tourist license” (licencia turística) is commonly used by investors and property owners to refer to the formal authorization to rent an apartment short term.
In practice, the procedure may include:
Register the property in the proper registry.
File the required administrative declarations.
meeting accommodation requirements for tourist use.
On the Costa del Sol, in Andalusia, key is registering the property as a Vivienda de Uso Turístico (VUT) in the Registro de Turismo de Andalucía (RTA).
The process includes submitting the proper declaración responsable and meeting all requirements for this type of tourist accommodation.
Why is a tourist license important when investing in Spain?
A legally prepared apartment gives the owner the ability to use the potential of the tourism market professionally.
When completed, the process lets you:
offer the apartment to guests legally,
work with booking platforms,
build the property’s credibility,
operate in line with local regulations,
reduce the risk of administrative problems.
For the investor, this means greater security and the ability to build a valuable long-term investment.
Costa del Sol tourist license – Marbella, Estepona, and Málaga
The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s most attractive regions for short-term rentals.
Towns such as:
Marbella,
Estepona,
Málaga,
Fuengirola,
Benalmádena,
attract tourists year-round thanks to the climate, beaches, golf, cuisine, and the international character of the region.
At the same time, the popularity of this market means that local regulations for holiday homes are becoming increasingly detailed.
That’s why, before buying an investment apartment on the Costa del Sol, you should check not only the property itself, but also whether it can be used legally as a tourist apartment.
Can every apartment in Spain obtain a tourist license?
Not every property can automatically be designated for short-term rental.
Before purchase, you should verify several key factors.
Property location
Each region and city may have its own requirements.
Some locations introduce additional restrictions on new tourist apartments, so analyzing the specific address should be one of the first steps in the investment.
Homeowners’ association
For apartments located in multi-family buildings, it is crucial to check the rules applicable within the owners’ community.
Since 2025, the possibility of running new tourist activities in residential buildings has become an even more important part of investment analysis.
Thus, a professional property assessment must cover the apartment and the building’s overall situation.
Property documentation
Before starting the process, verify:
the legal status of the property,
ownership documentation,
the ability to operate a tourism business,
administrative requirements.
Apartment standard
An apartment intended for short-term rental should be prepared according to the expectations of today’s travelers.
It matters, among other things:
functional furnishings,
attractive design,
stay comfort,
professional property presentation.
How to get tourist registration in Spain?
It varies by region but usually has multiple stages.
1. Analyze rental eligibility
The first step is to check whether a given property can be used for tourist rentals.
The following are reviewed:
local regulations,
the property’s legal situation,
community rules,
administrative requirements.
2. Complete formalities
Depending on the location, you may need to prepare:
the owner’s details,
property information,
required registrations,
property documentation.
3. Register the property
Once the requirements are met, the property can be submitted to the appropriate tourist registry.
In Andalusia, use the Registro de Turismo de
What documents are needed to obtain a tourist license in Spain?
Preparing an apartment for short-term rental requires not only meeting the requirements related to the property itself, but also preparing the appropriate documentation for both the owner and the property.
The exact scope of documents depends on the region and local administrative requirements. In Andalusia, where Costa del Sol is located, the registration process for a tourist apartment (Vivienda de Uso Turístico – VUT) includes, among other things, submitting the relevant administrative declaration and preparing information about the owner, the property, and how it will be operated.
Commonly required documents include:
Purchase deed plus proof of property ownership
One of the key elements is proof of the right to the property.
May also be needed, among other items:
deed of purchase (escritura de compraventa),
ownership proof,
current registry property details.
This documentation makes it possible to confirm who owns the apartment and who has the right to use it for tourism purposes.
Owner documentation for the property
For foreign owners, you need to prepare basic identification details.
Most often, this includes:
NIE number (Número de Identidad de
passport or identity document of the owner,
details of all persons who have ownership rights to the property.
If the property has multiple owners, each of them should be included in the administrative process.
Digital certificate or power of attorney
In Spain, many procedures are done electronically.
When registering a tourist property, the following may be required:
the owner’s digital certificate enabling online document signing,
or a power of attorney for the representative.
If there is more than one owner, e.g. spouses who jointly own a property, the procedure may require including all eligible parties.
Community of owners documentation
For apartments located in multi-family buildings, the legal status of the owners’ community (Comunidad de Propietarios) is a very important element.
May require providing:
a community certificate confirming the possibility of running a tourist rental,
a document signed by a person authorized to represent the community,
minutes of the owners’ community meeting when tourist rental was decided.
Before purchasing an investment property, it is especially important to check whether the community includes restrictions on tourist activities. Current regulations in Andalusia require considering the owners’ community’s position when analyzing the possibility of running a VUT.
Why review the documents before buying an apartment?
One of the most common mistakes investors make is buying a property based solely on location, view, or price.
Before purchasing an apartment on the Costa del Sol, verify:
the ability to legally operate a short-term rental,
the situation of the owners’ community,
availability of the documents,
potential administrative restrictions,
the property’s real investment potential.
This helps the investor avoid a situation where the purchased apartment cannot be used as originally intended.
How does Downtown Rent support document prep and registration?
For foreign investors, the biggest challenge is often not the property itself, but completing the entire administrative process correctly.
Downtown Rent supports owners by:
assessing operating a tourist rental,
helping prepare the required information,
coordinating work with local specialists,
organizing the documentation,
overseeing the next stages of investment preparation.
This gives the owner one partner to guide the process from purchase and formalities to launching a professionally run holiday rental.
What happens after obtaining tourist registration?
Registration itself is only the beginning of running an effective short-term rental.
The owner/operator must handle, among other things:
proper handling of guest stays,
meeting administrative obligations,
maintaining the property standard,
ongoing management of the apartment.
That is why many owners decide to work with a professional operator.
Downtown Rent — Spain’s investment partner
Buying an apartment in Spain is the first step. For the property to become a successful investment, it needs a combination of market knowledge, proper apartment preparation, and professional management.
Downtown Rent supports Costa del Sol property owners throughout the entire
investment analysis → formal support → apartment preparation → sales launch → rental management
With experience in managing apartments for short-term rentals, Downtown helps investors move from purchasing a property to creating a professionally operating holiday apartment.
How does Downtown Rent help with the tourist license and apartment preparation?
Downtown Rent supports owners, including by:
Analyzing the property before purchase
We help you assess:
the potential of the location,
rental opportunities,
apartment preparation requirements,
the property’s investment potential.
Support with formalities
Downtown Rent helps with:
preparing the registration process,
organizing the required information,
working with local specialists,
coordinating investment preparation stages.
Preparing the apartment for rental
We support owners with:
arranging the property,
equipment recommendations,
preparing the interior for guests’ needs,
professional presentation of the offer.
Short-term rental management, end-to-end
After launch, Downtown Rent can take over:
listing on booking platforms,
pricing strategy,
guest communication,
stay arrangements,
cleaning and quality control,
technical support,
results analysis.
Why choose Downtown Rent as a short-term rental operator in Spain?
Running a holiday apartment abroad on your own requires knowledge of the local market, language, regulations, and daily oversight.
Working with Downtown Rent allows the owner to:
use the experience of a professional operator,
reduce operational involvement,
avoid many organizational problems,
increase the investment potential,
manage the property even remotely.
FAQ – Tourist license in Spain and short-term rentals
Does every apartment in Spain need a tourist license?
For short-term rentals, the property must meet the requirements in the given region and be properly reported or registered.
Is the tourist license the same across all of Spain?
No. Each region has its own regulations. On the Costa del Sol, the most important are the rules in Andalusia.
How much is a tourist license in Spain?
Costs vary by location, required scope, and whether property prep is needed.
Can you rent on Airbnb in Spain?
Yes, but the property must meet the requirements in the given region and have the appropriate registration.
Is a Costa del Sol rental apartment worth it?
The Costa del Sol is one of Europe’s most recognizable tourism markets. However, investment success depends on location, property standard, and professional management.
Does Downtown Rent help obtain a tourist license?
Yes. Downtown Rent supports owners in preparing the entire process—from property analysis, through formal support and cooperation with local specialists, to launching and rental management.
Can Downtown Rent prepare an apartment from scratch?
Yes—cooperation may include prep, furnishing, presentation, and rollout to the rental market.
Does Downtown Rent manage Airbnb in Spain?
Yes. Downtown Rent provides comprehensive short-term rental management, including sales, guest service, and daily apartment operations.
Are you planning to buy an apartment in
Before purchasing a property, it’s worth checking its investment potential, options for legal renting, and the requirements for preparing the apartment.
Downtown Rent helps investors go through the entire process—from property analysis, through formalities, to professional short-term rental management on the Costa del Sol.
Contact Downtown Rent and check the potential of your investment in Spain.
