Guides

Can You Legally Rent Out Your Costa del Sol Property on Airbnb in 2026?

Short-term rental rules in Spain have become significantly stricter in recent years.

For overseas buyers planning to rent their property when not using it, understanding the legal framework is essential.

This topic is one of the most frequently discussed in expat forums, where buyers often ask:

• “How do I know if a rental is licensed?”
• “Can my building ban tourist rentals?”
• “Do I need a registration number?”

Tourist Rental Licences in Andalucía

Properties rented to tourists must typically be registered as Viviendas de Uso Turístico (VUT).

This involves:

• Registering the property with the regional tourism authority
• Meeting safety requirements
• Displaying a registration number on listings

New EU Registration Systems

The European Union has introduced regulations requiring short-term rental data sharing and registration systems across member states.

Spain also launched a national short-term rental registration system in 2025, which aims to standardise how rental properties are tracked.

Community Restrictions

Another important change is the role of community of owners (HOA).

Apartment buildings may now:

• Restrict
• Limit
• Prohibit

short-term tourist rentals depending on their statutes.

Verifying Rental Licences

Online discussions show buyers often worry about fake licence numbers.

To verify legality, buyers should check:

• Official registration documents
• Local tourism databases
• Community rules

Final Thoughts

Short-term rentals remain possible on the Costa del Sol, but the system is becoming more regulated and transparent.

Buyers should confirm:

• Whether the property qualifies for a licence
• Whether the building permits rentals
• Whether local planning rules allow tourist use