On January 2, 2025, the Unique Rental Registry and the Digital One-Stop Rental Portal came into effect, as established by Royal Decree 1312/2024 of December 23. This regulation standardizes the registration process for short-term accommodation rental services.
What is the Unique Rental Registry?
The Unique Rental Registry is a system that facilitates the collection and exchange of data related to short-term accommodation rental services. This registry ensures transparency and enables oversight by local and national authorities. It not only benefits property owners and platforms but also protects tourists by ensuring that all properties meet legal requirements, reducing unfair competition, and improving the quality of service.
Scope of the Regulation
The regulation applies to tourist rentals, seasonal rentals, room rentals, or other properties that allow short-term accommodation in exchange for financial compensation, as long as they are offered through transactional online platforms. The regulation is mandatory for online platforms providing services to hosts offering short-term rentals in Spain, regardless of the platforms’ country of establishment, as well as for hosts offering rental services.
Digital One-Stop Rental Portal
To comply with the new regulatory obligations, Spain has established the Digital One-Stop Rental Portal, a national digital gateway for the electronic transmission of data between short-term rental platforms and for all other functions set by the regulation. This portal will operate under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda through the General Directorate for Planning and Evaluation. The Digital One-Stop Rental Portal facilitates registration and data consultation procedures, promoting efficient and streamlined management for both citizens and authorities.
Obligations of Landlords and Platforms
- Landlords: They are required to obtain a registration number for the rental property, provide the necessary information, comply with information requests, update details in case of changes, and communicate the assigned registration number to online platforms.
- Platforms: They must ensure that landlords identify their properties using this registration number in their applications, make the number visible in advertisements, conduct random and periodic verifications, and report any negative verification results to the Digital One-Stop Rental Portal. They must also inform landlords about the registration process.
Registration Procedure
The process begins upon the applicant’s request. The application for a unique registration number must be submitted electronically via the Spanish College of Property and Commercial Registrars’ online platform, along with all required documents in electronic format. Alternatively, applications may also be submitted in paper format at the relevant Property or Movable Assets Registry.
Required Documentation for Registration
To register a tourist apartment under the new system and ensure compliance with the required standards, the following documents must be submitted:
- Tourist use license issued by the relevant Autonomous Community (CCAA)
- Certificate of habitability
- Cadastral reference and exact property address
Additionally, landlords must specify whether they intend to rent the entire property or individual rooms, indicate the maximum occupancy, and confirm compliance with all specific requirements of the Autonomous Community where the property is located.
Adaptation Period
Although the regulation came into effect on January 2, 2025, its provisions will not be enforced until July 1, 2025. This grace period allows all stakeholders to make the necessary technological and operational adjustments.
Mandatory Compliance and Administrative Resolutions
One of the most significant aspects of this regulation is the mandatory registration of all properties used for tourist and seasonal rentals in the Unique Rental Registry. Failure to comply will prevent landlords from listing their properties on digital platforms and may result in financial penalties or even the suspension of their property as a tourist rental.
Platforms must comply with administrative resolutions ordering the removal or deactivation of advertisements linked to a suspended or revoked registration number within 48 hours.
At Tax Law Zavala & Moscoso, we are available to assist you with any necessary procedures or to clarify any questions you may have.
Manuel Gámez
Head of the Tax and Accounting Department
Tax Law Zavala & Moscoso
