In 2025, the regulations governing holiday rentals in Andalusia have undergone significant changes, providing greater legal certainty, transparency and stability for owners, buyers and investors active in the Spanish tourist rental market.
At API – Almeria Property Investments, we closely monitor this legislation and professionally guide our clients when buying or selling properties with a tourist licence in Andalusia.
Tourist licence linked to the property (not the owner)
The most important change introduced in 2025 is that the tourist licence is now linked to the property itself, rather than to the owner.
This means that:
- The tourist licence remains valid after the sale
- The buyer does not need to apply for a new licence
- Holiday rental activity can continue without interruption
- Only a change of ownership notification is required with the Andalusian Tourism Register
- From 2025 onwards, tourist rental licences in Andalusia (VFT/VUT) must be registered in the national Spanish register. In addition to regional registration with the Junta de Andalucía, additional registration with the property register is required for the NRA number (Número de Registro de Alquiler), which is mandatory for all short-term rentals. The NRA number must be displayed on all booking platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com.
- Obligations: In addition to the NRA number, registration with the central police platform (SES Hospedajes) is mandatory.
It is advisable to arrange this through a gestor (accountant) or solicitor.
This clarification, confirmed by the Andalusian Government and the Directorate for Legal Certainty, significantly strengthens investor protection and confidence in holiday rental investments in Spain.
Homeowners’ Associations: what has changed?
Since April 2025, approval from 3/5 of the homeowners’ association is required to apply for a new tourist licence in certain communities.
However:
- This rule only applies to new licence applications
- Properties with an existing valid licence remain fully protected
- Existing licences cannot be revoked retroactively
This provides essential legal security for buyers and sellers of licensed holiday rental properties.
Transfer of the tourist licence: a simplified process
Changing ownership of the licence after purchase is quick and fully digital:
- Log in to the Andalusian Tourism Register
- Submit the official change form
- Attach:
- A copy of the title deed
- Identification of the new owner
👉 The licence remains active throughout the process, with no interruption to rental activity.
Benefits for holiday rental investors in Spain
The new regulations offer clear advantages:
- ✔ Greater legal certainty when buying and selling
- ✔ Continuity of rental income
- ✔ Reduced administrative risks
- ✔ Increased transparency for investments in Andalusia
Areas such as Vera Playa, Mojácar, Garrucha and the Costa de Almería become even more attractive for investors.
At API – Almeria Property Investments, we provide full support for:
- Purchasing properties with a tourist licence in Andalusia
- Investing in holiday rentals in Spain
We work transparently, multilingually and with in-depth local market knowledge.
