Tourist rental regulations

New Regulations on Tourist Rentals in Valencia – 2024 Guide

The Regional Government of Valencia has recently introduced amendments to the law that regulates tourist rentals in Valencia, with the aim of improving the coexistence between this growing sector and permanent residents in buildings and communities of owners.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the new tourist rental law in Valencia, designed to help owners, investors and property managers understand its implications.

1) What is a Tourist Rental?

The new rental regulations in Valencia define three different types of rentals:

Tourist Rental – Maximum stay of 10 nights per client.
Seasonal Rental – Minimum stay of 11 nights and a maximum of less than one year.
Long Term Rental – Minimum stay of one year.

2) Do I need a Tourist License in Valencia?

A tourist license is required in Valencia only for properties classified as Tourist Rental (Homes for Tourist Use). If you rent your property for more than 10 nights to the same client, you do not need a tourist license, as it will be considered a seasonal rental.

3) Can I Rent a Room in Valencia?

No. A tourist license in Valencia only allows you to rent an entire property. Renting a single room or a part of the property, even if it is a self-contained apartment, is not allowed. If the property does not have a unique reference in the Spanish Cadastre (Referencia Cadastral), it cannot be rented.

Important: Current holders of tourist licences must submit the details of the owner (and the rental operator, if different) along with the Cadastral Reference to the Regional Government of Valencia before the end of 2024. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the revocation of the tourist license.

4) Should I Renew My Tourist License in Valencia?

Yes. Tourist licenses in Valencia are now valid for five years. Licenses issued before August 8, 2024 , will remain valid until August 8, 2029. To renew it, you must submit a new Responsible Declaration at least one month before the expiry. Failure to renew it will result in the cancellation of the license and removal from the Official Registry of Tourist Rentals of Valencia.

5) Do Tourist Rentals in Valencia Have to Meet New Standards?

By August 2025, all registered holiday rentals in Valencia will need to comply with the new property and service standards, including:

Properties located on the 5th floor or above must have an elevator.
A 24-hour telephone service for guests and a meet and greet service (key boxes outside the property are now prohibited).
High-speed internet access must be provided.

6) Is a Tourist License Transferred When Selling a Property in Valencia?

No. Tourist licenses in Valencia are now linked to both the owner and the property. When selling, the owner must notify the Regional Government of Valencia, which will remove the property from the Tourist Rental Registry. The new owner will need to apply for a new five-year license.

7) Can I Rent My Property in Valencia Only During the Summer?

Yes, but you must inform the Regional Government of Valencia about your rental period. For example, if you specify June through September, you can offer short stays during that period, but you'll need to comply with seasonal rental rules (minimum 11 nights per stay) the rest of the year. If your license covers the entire year, short stays (maximum 10 nights per guest) must be applied throughout the year.

8) Do I Need Permission from My Neighbors to Operate a Tourist Rental in Valencia?

Yes. Your Community of Owners (Comunidad de Vecinos) must approve your tourist rental. You must provide an official meeting certificate or minutes proving this approval when applying for a tourist license in Valencia.

9) Can Valencia City Council Reject my Tourist License Application?

Even if your property complies with all the rules of tourist rental in Valencia and has neighborhood approval, the City Council may reject your application if:

The housing market in your area has been declared a "Stressed Zone."
The maximum number of tourist rentals in the area has been reached.

The City Council must publish this information, ensuring that applicants know if their area is eligible before starting the process.

10) What Do I Need to Apply for a Tourist License in Valencia?

Once you confirm your zone's eligibility and get neighborhood approval, you must hire an architect or property expert to issue two reports:

A report confirming compliance with all new tourist rental regulations in Valencia.
An Energy Performance Certificate.

After this, the City Council will issue a Certificate of Urban Compatibility. The last step is to submit a Responsible Declaration together with the Certificate of Urban Compatibility to the Regional Government of Valencia for inclusion in the Official Register of Tourist Rentals. This process usually takes a few months.

11) Are There Fines for Illegal Tourist Rentals in Valencia?

Yes. Fines for operating a tourist rental without a valid license in Valencia have increased significantly, ranging from €100,000 to €600,000, depending on the severity of the violation.