As experts in temporary rentals in Barcelona, this January Lodging Management and all our collaborators and property owners have adapted to the new regulations governing tourism and monthly rentals in the city.
On December 18th, 2025, the Parlament de Catalunya approved the Llei d’adopció de mesures urgents en matèria d’habitatge i urbanisme (Law on the Adoption of Urgent Measures in Housing and Urban Planning), a regulation that introduces significant changes to the legal framework for temporary rentals in the region.
At Lodging Management, we would like to clarify for our owners and the public what these new regulations entail and how they affect both property owners and managers of temporary rentals. The law entered into force on January 1, 2026, so it’s essential to understand what will change, whether existing contracts will be respected, and what new obligations must now be met.
Scope of the Law
This new law is strictly regional and applies only within Catalunya. It introduces important changes to housing legislation, including amendments to Llei 18/2007 (the Right to Housing Act).
It’s important to note that this regulation does not apply outside Catalunya. Contracts formalized in other autonomous communities in Spain continue to be governed by national legislation.
The Two Types of Temporary Contracts: Key Changes
One of the central pillars of the new law is the regulation of seasonal rentals, aimed at clearly distinguishing legitimate temporary uses from permanent residential leases.
The regulation assumes that any use is considered a primary residence unless the temporary nature of the stay is clearly and sufficiently justified.
The law establishes two types of temporary rental contracts:
1. Seasonal Contracts for Tourism, Holiday, or Leisure Use
When the purpose of the contract is recreational, holiday, or leisure use, it is considered a lease for use other than permanent residence.
These contracts may be formalized at any time of year but must meet several requirements:
- Explicitly state in the contract the recreational or holiday usage
- Provide documentary proof of that purpose
- Specify the tenant’s permanent residence
- Register the security deposit and supporting documentation with the Institut Català del Sòl (INCASÒL)
The new regulation strengthens both documentary and administrative oversight for this type of contract.
2. Seasonal Contracts for Work, Studies, or Medical Reasons
For seasonal contracts linked to professional, employment, academic, medical, or other justified temporary stays, the law establishes that— though the contract remains temporary—the rules governing residential leases will apply in areas such as:
- Security deposits and guarantees
- Rent determination and updates
- Rent increases for improvements
- General expenses and utilities
In addition, it is mandatory to:
- Explicitly state the reason for the stay’s temporary nature in the contract
- Provide documentary proof (employment contract, university enrollment, medical report, etc.)
- Specify the tenant’s habitual residence
- Deposit the security deposit and documentation with INCASÒL
In practice, this means that many contracts previously signed as seasonal rentals may now be reclassified as permanent residential leases if the temporary cause is not sufficiently justified or if the authorities determine that the use is not genuinely temporary.
What Happens to Existing Contracts?
This is one of the main concerns among property owners.
Seasonal rental contracts that were validly signed and in force before the new regulation came into effect will continue to be governed by their agreed terms until expiration, including the agreed-upon rental rate.
The new law does not automatically revise or modify existing contracts, nor does it have retroactive effect. Therefore, property owners can rest assured that current contracts will be respected.
Extensions and New Contracts: Important Changes
However, now that the law is in force, specific rules apply to certain situations:
Extension of a Seasonal Contract
If a tenant requests an extension, they must again prove the temporary nature of their stay and demonstrate that their primary residence remains elsewhere.
If the nature is not properly justified, the contract will automatically be considered a permanent residential lease.
Signing a New Contract with the Same Tenant
If, after a contract ends, a new contract is signed for the same property with the same tenant, the law presumes it to be a permanent residential lease unless the landlord proves that the temporary nature of the stay is still in force.
This proof must be documented and deposited with INCASÒL.
The difference is important:
- In a new contract, the law presumes the use is no longer temporary, and the landlord must prove otherwise.
- In an extension, the tenant must justify the continued temporary need.
Rental Limits for Temporary Rentals
For seasonal contracts based on work, studies, medical, or similar reasons, rent determination and updates are subject to residential lease regulations.
This means you do not have full freedom to set rental rates. Instead, national rules on rent limitation apply, particularly Ley 12/2023 Por el derecho a la vivienda, which establishes rent caps in areas declared as stressed residential markets—such as Barcelona and many municipalities in Catalunya.
- If the landlord is not a large property holder, rent may not exceed that of the last permanent residential lease in the previous five years, with legally permitted updates (except in exceptional cases outlined by law).
- If the landlord is classified as a large property holder, rent must comply with the applicable reference price index.
Room Rentals: New Regulation
For the first time, the law introduces specific regulation for room rentals.
Defined as contracts granting exclusive use of a bedroom plus shared use of common areas, room rentals must comply with:
- Minimum surface standards per person
- Maximum occupancy limits stated in the habitability certificate
In addition, the total sum of rents for all rooms may not exceed the maximum limit set by the applicable reference index. Failure to comply may result in administrative sanctions and reclassification of the contract.
Registry of Large Property Holders
The law creates a Registry of Large Property Holders under the Catalan Housing Agency.
To be considered a large property holder, one must:
- Own five or more urban properties in stressed market areas in Catalunya, or
- Own more than 10 residential urban properties in Spain, or
- Own more than 1,500 m² of residential built area in Spain
Large property holders face additional restrictions on sales and rentals in stressed areas, stricter notarial controls, and tax changes eliminating certain benefits and increasing tax burdens on specific transactions.
Recommendations from Lodging Management
At Lodging Management, we want to reassure our property owners while also providing clarity on the changes ahead. Temporary rental contracts that have been validly signed and are currently in effect will remain in force until they expire, with no automatic modifications or retroactive effects. What will change is that, once the law takes effect, contract extensions and new contracts will be subject to greater oversight. Failure to properly substantiate the temporary nature of the arrangement may result in the contract being reclassified as a primary residence, with the associated consequences.
That is why planning will be essential. In this increasingly demanding regulatory environment, planning ahead and getting things right from the start makes all the difference. Choosing the right type of lease, properly documenting the reason for the temporary nature of the tenancy, and understanding how rent caps and formal obligations apply will be key to avoiding legal risks and penalties.
Keys for complying with the new regulations
To ensure that your short-term rental contracts comply with the new regulations, at Lodging Management we are actively working with our tenants to:
- Thoroughly document the reason for the short-term nature of the lease from the very beginning
- Keep supporting documentation (employment contracts, enrollment records, medical reports) for all tenants
- Always record the tenant’s primary residence address
- Deposit the security deposit and documentation with INCASÒL in a timely and proper manner
- Review rents to ensure they comply with the applicable limits in high-demand areas
- Anticipate contract extensions by requesting updated documentation in advance to verify the continued existence of the temporary nature of the stay
At Lodging Management, we are prepared to support our clients through this transition. Our team is up to date with the new regulations and can advise on the proper drafting of temporary rental contracts in accordance with the new law, the review of existing contracts to identify potential risks, the necessary documentation to substantiate the grounds for temporary status, the calculation of rents adjusted to applicable legal limits, and the management of extensions and renewals in accordance with the new regulatory framework.
The key message is clear: the law does not prohibit temporary rentals, but it significantly changes the rules, reinforcing administrative control and requiring that temporariness be real, justified, and properly documented. All use is presumed to be permanent residential use unless a specific temporary cause is sufficiently documented. At Lodging Management, as experts in temporary rentals in Barcelona, we are committed to ensuring regulatory compliance and providing legal certainty to our clients. In an increasingly complex regulatory environment, professional management offers not only convenience but also legal security. If you have questions about how this new regulation affects your properties or need assistance adapting your contracts, we’re here to help.
