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Spain is set to become the first European Union country to introduce a unified registry for short-term rentals, a major step toward regulating the rapidly growing sector. Starting this Thursday January 2, landlords and online rental platforms will be required to comply with the system, with full enforcement beginning on July 1, 2025, after a transitional period.

 

This groundbreaking regulation creates what is known as the Digital Single Window for Leases. This system will centralise data collection related to short-term rental services throughout Spain, fulfilling EU mandates for member states to establish an information framework for these rentals.

 

For owners of holiday homes who advertise online, this means that they will need to register their properties and obtain a unique identification number. Once it’s up and running fully in the summer, the registry will track various types of short-term accommodations, including tourist rentals, seasonal properties, room rentals and even temporary housing aboard boats and cruise ships.

 

With hotels in Spain still trying to get to grips with the controversial new guest registry system, many industry insiders like Airbnb have criticised yet another reform that will create more work for landlords and property owners.

 

 

Specifically, the regulation applies to tourist rentals, seasonal rentals, room rentals or other properties that allow short-term accommodation and involve financial compensation, as long as they are offered through transactional online platforms.

 

Properties must be fully equipped and meet specific requirements to qualify for registration. Properties used exclusively for long-term residential leasing are exempt.

 

Landlords must register their properties through the College of Registrars’ electronic portal or local property registries. They are required to provide specific details, including the property address, cadastral reference, type of lease and whether the rental is for part or all of the property.

 

Failure to meet requirements within seven working days of notification will lead to suspension of the property’s registration number.

 

Online rental platforms must ensure landlords display their registration numbers in listings, conduct periodic compliance checks and promptly remove non-compliant ads. Additionally, platforms are obligated to provide authorities with rental data monthly.

 

By pioneering this initiative, Spain aims to balance the booming short-term rental market with the need for better standards and transparency, while cracking down on the illegal black market rental trade.

 

 

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