Valencia Region Regulation
What’s New Regarding Holiday Rental Licences in the Valencian Community?
1. Renewal of Tourist Rental Licences
From 8 August 2024, all new tourist rental licences in the Valencian Community must be renewed every five years.
To renew the licence, the following will be required:
• Approval from the local Town Hall confirming urban planning compatibility for tourist use.
• Approval from the Community of Owners (only applicable where the property forms part of a building with a registered Community of Owners).
Existing Licences – Transitional Period
• Licences granted after 08/08/2024 will be valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry.
• Licences granted before 08/08/2024 must be renewed before 08/08/2029.
Change of Ownership
If the property changes ownership, a new tourist rental licence application must be submitted.
2. Increased Controls & Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In an effort to combat illegal tourist rentals, the authorities are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated control systems.
This includes:
• Stricter monitoring of unregistered tourist rentals.
• Greater enforcement activity by local authorities and municipalities.
3. Cancellation of Tourist Rental Licences
A tourist rental licence may be revoked in several situations, including:
• Incorrect registration details, for example if the licence remains in the previous owner’s name.
• Failure to submit the annual tourist rental declaration within two months of obtaining the licence.
• No tourist rental activity having taken place for one year.
• Failure to renew the licence within the required period.
Property owners will be formally notified if their licence is cancelled.
Current Holiday Rental Regulations in the Valencian Community
At present, tourist rentals in the Valencian Community are mainly regulated by the following regional legislation:
1. Law 15/2018 on Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality of the Valencian Community, which establishes the general legal framework.
2. Decree 10/2021, regulating the requirements and obligations applicable to tourist rental properties.
3. Decree 184/2014, regulating rural tourist accommodation.
4. Law 9/2024, in force since 8 August 2024, reinforcing the previous regulations and clarifying key aspects such as:
o Maximum duration of stays.
o Renewal of tourist registry registrations.
In addition to regional regulations, there are also national legal obligations, including the mandatory registration of guests with the Spanish authorities.
What is Considered a Tourist Rental Property in the Valencian Community?
Under Valencian regulations, a property is considered a tourist rental property when ALL of the following conditions apply:
• The entire property is rented out (room-by-room tourist rentals are prohibited).
• The stay does not exceed 10 consecutive days for the same guest.
• The property is fully furnished and ready for immediate occupation.
• The accommodation is provided in exchange for payment.
A property may also be considered a tourist rental property depending on how it is marketed, including:
• Advertising on platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com.
• Management through a professional tourist rental company.
In such cases, the authorities may presume tourist use and verify compliance with the applicable regulations.
Requirements for Tourist Rental Properties in the Valencian Community
1. Submission of the Responsible Declaration
Tourist rental activity begins by submitting a “Responsible Declaration” to the regional tourism authorities.
This declaration must include:
• Identification of the property owner or management company.
• The property’s cadastral reference.
• The periods of the year during which the property will be rented.
• Confirmation that the property complies with all legal requirements.
The activity may commence immediately after submission, without waiting for prior approval, although inspections may be carried out afterwards.
Important: Any changes to the rental model or declared rental periods must be communicated to the authorities.
2. Urban Planning Compatibility Certificate
The property must have a favourable municipal urban compatibility report for tourist use, confirming that tourist accommodation is permitted under local urban planning regulations.
This document is issued by the Town Hall.
3. Registration in the Valencian Tourism Registry
All tourist rental properties must be registered in the Valencian Tourism Registry.
Without this registration, the property cannot legally operate as tourist accommodation.
The following documents are required:
• Responsible Declaration.
• Urban compatibility certificate.
• Occupancy Licence or equivalent habitation document.
Important: Since Decree-Law 9/2024 came into force, registrations are valid for five years.
4. Tourist Registration Number
Once registered, the property receives an official tourist registration number.
This number must be clearly displayed on:
• Airbnb, Booking.com and other platforms.
• The property’s own website.
• Any advertising or promotional material.
5. Official Identification Plaque
Registered tourist rental properties must display the official identification plaque at the property entrance.
The plaque must show:
• Tourist rental status.
• Official registration number.
Failure to display this plaque may result in fines.
6. Minimum Habitation & Equipment Standards
The property must comply with minimum standards regarding:
• Habitability.
• Safety.
• Hygiene and maintenance.
Generally, the property must include:
• Suitable furniture.
• Basic kitchen equipment.
• Water and electricity supply.
• Climate control systems.
• Internet connection (unless technically impossible).
7. Public Liability Insurance
The owner or operator must hold valid Public Liability Insurance covering damage or injuries caused to guests or third parties.
The minimum coverage depends on the property capacity.
8. Unique Registration Number (NRU)
From 1 July 2025, all tourist rental properties advertised through booking platforms must also obtain a Unique Registration Number (NRU).
Important:
• The NRU does not replace the Valencian tourist registration number.
• Both registration numbers are mandatory and complementary.
9. Approval from the Community of Owners
From 2025 onwards, new tourist rental activities in residential buildings will require prior approval from the Community of Owners.
This rule:
• Applies only to new tourist rental activities.
• Does not generally affect properties already operating legally before 2025.
10. Guest Registration Obligations
Owners and managers of tourist accommodation in Spain must register all guests and submit their details through the official SES.HOSPEDAJES platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I want to rent the property for more than 10 days?
A property may legally combine:
• Tourist rentals (maximum 10 days per guest).
• Seasonal rentals under the Urban Lease Act (LAU) for stays exceeding 10 days.
For example:
• Summer: tourist rentals.
• Winter: seasonal rentals.
However, the rental periods must be clearly declared and correctly managed.
Is renewal of the Tourism Registry mandatory?
Yes.
Since Decree-Law 9/2024, tourist rental registrations are valid for five years and must be renewed.
Failure to renew within the required period will result in removal from the Tourism Registry.
Do existing properties registered before August 2024 need to comply with the new regulations?
Yes, but there is a five-year transitional adaptation period from 8 August 2024.
During this time, existing properties may continue operating provided they comply with the remaining legal obligations.
Is a tourist licence required?
In the Valencian Community there is technically no traditional “tourist licence”.
The activity operates through:
• Responsible Declaration.
• Registration in the Tourism Registry.
However, additional municipal licences may still be required depending on the area and property type.
Can I rent rooms individually as tourist accommodation?
No.
Room-by-room tourist rentals are expressly prohibited in the Valencian Community.
The entire property must always be rented as one unit.
Can I combine tourist rental and seasonal rental?
Yes.
The same property may be used for tourist rentals during certain periods and seasonal rentals during others, provided the periods are properly declared and the correct regulations are followed.
Are there penalties for non-compliance?
Yes.
Failure to comply with tourist rental regulations may result in significant financial penalties and administrative sanctions.
Fines range from approximately €10,000 to €600,000 depending on the seriousness of the infringement.
In addition, the authorities may:
• Order the immediate cessation of activity.
• Remove the property from the Tourism Registry.
• Prevent future re-registration for a specified period.
Conclusion
Tourist rental regulations in the Valencian Community have evolved considerably in recent years, affecting both existing owners and those considering entering the market.
Before starting or modifying any tourist rental activity, it is essential to carefully review the current regulations and ensure full compliance with all legal, administrative, and urban planning requirements.