This is a very common question among property owners who want to allocate them to the holiday or tourist rental . This initial doubt is usually accompanied by other issues related to legal implications, economic sanctions, current regulations and taxation associated with rent without a tourist license.
In this article we analyze in depth the Airbnb regulations, what happens if you rent without a license, the risks of being sanctioned, and the benefits of operating legally. In addition, we will give you a practical typ to automate the check-in your guests and avoid errors in daily management.
Index
Airbnb is an intermediary platform between hosts and travelers, and demands compliance with local laws where real estate operates. This includes that the owner provides the tourist license number to publish the ad. In some autonomous communities, if you are still in process, you can use a provisional number.
However, if you do not have a valid license or a temporary number, Airbnb will not allow your home to publish as a tourist accommodation .
The platform is legally obliged to collaborate with local authorities, and verify that the announced properties meet the regulations . This means that if you have no license, your ad may be eliminated or rejected. In addition, both hosts and the platform themselves can face sanctions for breaking the regulations.
Taking into account the above, the short answer is yes . You need a tourist license to access the Airbnb platform and be able to promote your ad. Tourist rentals are short -season stays and you will need the tourist license to be able to receive guests . Each tourist license must be requested in the respective community in which the property is located.
This license proves that your home meets the requirements of habitability, safety and quality established by the tourist legislation of your autonomous community.
In addition, being an economic activity, you must comply with the corresponding tax and tax obligations , such as declare income in the IRPF and apply VAT or tourist fees if required by your community.
Vacation rentals are considered an economic activity, and as such, they need to meet certain legal and tax requirements . The or tourist license certifies that the home meets the conditions established by local regulations to be used for tourism.
The tourist license ensures that accommodations meet minimum quality and safety standards, protecting guests from possible fraud or inadequate conditions.
Having a license allows local authorities to control the economic activity generated by vacation rentals, ensuring that owners meet their tax obligations, such as paying applicable taxes (IRPF, VAT, or tourist taxes in some regions).
The consequences of operating a vacation home without a tourist license can lead to legal problems and financial sanctions from the authorities. These sanctions may increase if non-compliance persists over time:
The fines for renting without a tourist license are increasingly frequent. For example:
These sanctions are based on the fact that the tourist use without authorization is considered a serious infraction , and the fines can be calculated based on the percentage of the cadastral or market value of the property.
Rent without tourism license entails significant economic and legal risks:
Since April 3, 2025, a new requirement has been introduced: the neighborhood community must expressly approve the tourist use of the property .
In addition, a recent judgment of the Supreme Court has granted the communities of owners the ability to prohibit tourist floors if it decides 60 % of the neighbors. This means that even if you have the tourist license, you cannot legally rent if your community prevents it .
Ensure the legal operation of the business and fluid communication with OTAs such as Airbnb to be able to carry out any type of management and be able to promote your vacation rental.
Having a tourist license assures the guest that the property is in perfect habitable conditions and that it is ready to live in it.
You will be able to receive advice from tourism organizations , something that can be key to increasing your income.
The license helps ensure a balance between tourist and residential use , limiting conflicts related to noise, the use of common services or increased foot traffic.
Use tools such as Check-in Scan to automate the guest registration, verify your identity and comply with the communication regulations to SES.Hospedajes . You will save time, you will avoid mistakes and improve the traveler's experience.
It is not possible to rent an Airbnb without a tourist license , because the platform itself requires the registration number when entering a property for subsequent promotion. Airbnb makes sure to comply with all legal requirements when managing your vacation rental listings.
The tourist license is a key mechanism for effective communication with OTAs and public entities and acts as a trustworthy tool to ensure that the property is suitable for habitability.
Tip to efficiently register guests:
We make the communication of the guest data before SES HOSPEDAJES, Siba-Sef and Alloggiati for you.
