Holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol: an overview of licences and rules

For many of our clients, holiday rentals are the main reason for buying on the Costa del Sol. Enjoying it yourself for a few weeks and renting it out for the rest of the year.

That is still possible. However, the rules have been tightened significantly in recent years. If you buy without doing your homework, you may find that renting to tourists is not permitted.

Here is what you need to know before you buy.

No registration, no holiday rentals

Anyone renting to tourists in Andalusia must register the property as a holiday home in the Andalusian tourism register. You will then receive a registration number that must be included in every advertisement.

In addition, there is now a national registration requirement. Platforms such as Airbnb and Booking only accept listings that include a valid registration number.

Renting without registration can lead to substantial fines. It is a risk you do not want to take.

What the property must comply with

A holiday home must meet minimum requirements. These include:

• A valid certificate of occupancy
• Air conditioning or heating, depending on the season
• Fully furnished and ready for use
• Information for guests and a complaints form
• Registration of guests with the authorities

For new-build and renovated properties, this is usually easy to arrange. For older properties, it sometimes requires modifications.

The homeowners' association has the final say

This is the point that buyers most often overlook.

Since 2025, the homeowners' association in an apartment complex must approve new holiday rentals by a qualified majority. Furthermore, the statutes of a complex may prohibit holiday rentals entirely.

If you buy in a complex where this is regulated, you have peace of mind. If you buy in a complex where it is not, you are dependent on your future neighbours.

Municipalities can impose restrictions

Municipalities in Andalusia have been granted the authority to restrict new holiday rentals in areas under high pressure. The city of Málaga has already done so in large parts of the city.

Elsewhere on the coast, policies vary by municipality and are constantly evolving. Therefore, always check the current situation in the location where you wish to buy.

What this means for your purchase

Do you see holiday rentals as part of your return on investment? Then ask yourself three questions before you buy:

• Do the complex's statutes allow holiday rentals, or has the homeowners' association already given its approval?
• Can the property be registered in this municipality and neighbourhood?
• Does the property meet the requirements, or are modifications necessary?

Are the answers unclear? Then calculate a scenario for long-term rentals as well. This yields less per night but offers more security. Use our rental yield calculator to compare both scenarios side by side.

Renting out without the hassle

Registration, guest communication, cleaning, maintenance, and tax returns. Holiday rental is a business.

That is why we also handle rental management and interior design for our clients. Read more about rentals and interiors.

Our conclusion

Holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol remain a strong strategy. However, it is no longer a given.

Those who check in advance buy with certainty. Those who do not are taking a gamble.

Would you like to know if a specific property is suitable for rental? Schedule a consultation, and we will look into it for you.