Short-term rental rules on the Costa del Sol.
A clear overview of the tourist licence, the rules that apply in Andalusia, and what you need in order before you rent.
Published: 2026 · REX
The basics: the tourist licence
Anyone renting a property short-term to tourists in Andalusia must register it with the Registro de Turismo de Andalucía (RTA) as a Vivienda con Fines Turísticos (VFT). Registration produces a licence number that must appear on every listing — Airbnb, Booking.com and your own site. Renting without it risks significant fines.
The property also has to meet basic standards: air-conditioning in the main rooms for summer, heating for winter, first-aid kit, guest information, and a formal complaints form (hojas de reclamaciones) available on request.
Community & local rules
If your property sits in a building or urbanisation, check the rules of the community of owners (comunidad de propietarios): since 2019 communities can restrict or limit tourist rental, so this matters before you start. Individual town halls along the coast — Marbella, Estepona, Málaga — can also apply their own conditions.
Registration, guests & tax
By law you must register each guest and report their details to the authorities (the SES.Hospedajes / Guardia Civil traveller registry) within the required window after check-in. On the tax side, rental income is taxable in Spain — non-resident owners typically file quarterly — so work with a Spanish gestor or accountant who knows tourist-rental income.
How REX helps
We guide owners through the RTA registration, get the property compliant, and handle the guest registration and traveller reporting for every booking — so your rental is correct from day one. No surprises, no letters from the Junta de Andalucía.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; always check the current requirements of the Junta de Andalucía and your town hall.