With the introduction of the Tourism Rental Registry (the Registro Único de Alquiler Turístico in Spanish), our Barcelona holiday rental management company has received several queries from owners about the scope of this new measure. Although it is still early to assess its effects, today we’d like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and reiterate the importance of analyzing the sector’s real data rather than merely speculating.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of the European Parliament and the Committee on Short-Term Rentals is a requirement from the European Union that seeks to eradicate properties from the market that do not have a license to accommodate tourists but still advertise on major platforms like Airbnb and Booking. This initiative supplements the periodic inspections carried out by law enforcement in cities like Barcelona to curb illegal schemes that deceive tourists with apartments operating as holiday homes without a permit. These tarnish the image of legal owners and companies trying to contribute to the consolidation of responsible tourism.
According to the latest report by real estate consulting firm PwC, tourism apartments represent only 1.2% of the housing in Barcelona and generate an economic impact of more than €1.9 billion per year. Since 2014, the tourism rental housing stock has been stable and has not increased. It consists of 9,600 units that have a license, i.e. permission to accommodate visitors by the day.
In this context, the Tourism Rental Registry is an additional step to ensure protection of the sector and put an end to fraudulent practices.
What is the Tourism Rental Registry?
The Tourism Rental Registry is a system set up by the Spanish Government to regularize and control tourism accommodations.
This regulation obliges all holiday rental owners to obtain a unique identification number for each licensed accommodation they own, which will be required when they want to advertise it on online platforms.
Also known as the Unified Rental Registry, it is a measure approved by the European Union to guarantee transparency and supervision over the holiday rental sector.
When will it be implemented?
Although the measure will not be fully implemented until July 1, 2025, Spain is the first EU country to comply with the new requirement. The rule, which was announced last December in Royal Decree 1312/2024, came into force in January and will be mandatory as of July 1, 2025.
Which properties are affected?
The Unified Rental Registry must be used by all full properties or rooms being rented in tourism or month-to-month modes and promoted through digital platforms.
How is the Registry processed?
Each property to be used for short-term rental must obtain a unique identification number that will be visible in all advertisements published on digital platforms for customer purchase of accommodations. To obtain this number, owners must register their properties through the electronic platform of the Registrars Association or in the corresponding Land or Movable Property Registry. The application must include the location, the unique registry code of the property and its cadastral reference. It must also specify whether the lease covers the entire property or only part of it, and the maximum number of tenants allowed.
What is the Digital One-Stop Shop?
The Digital One-Stop Shop is a digital gateway for the transmission of data between tourism apartment rental platforms and the national Unified Registry system.
How often does this registration have to be renewed?
Owners must renew their registration every 12 months and submit an annual report of activity data. This is to guarantee the validity of the information.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Although a specific sanctioning regime has yet to be defined, at the moment the current country, regional and local regulations apply.
As longtime experts in Barcelona holiday rental management, Lodging Management hopes that these regulatory measures will contribute to the eradication of abusive practices in the sector. We encourage tourists to always choose tourism apartments that work legally and with a valid license.
