Andalusia’s New Sustainable Tourism Law: What Every Property Owner Needs to Know in 2025

Today, March 25th, in Granada, Andalusia’s regional government presented the Draft Bill of the Sustainable Tourism Law (Ley del Turismo Sostenible de Andalucía). This is not just an update—it’s a major reform that changes the landscape for tourist rentals (Viviendas de Uso Turístico or VUT) across the region.

If you own property in Andalusia and rent it to tourists—especially if you live abroad—this blog is for you.

What’s the Purpose of the New Law?

The law is focused on:

• Promoting sustainable tourism

• Reducing saturation in local housing markets

• Strengthening local control through zoning and community rules

• Enhancing compliance through digital systems

• Cracking down on illegal and unregulated tourist rentals

Although it’s still a draft, it is expected to pass and come into effect by the end of 2025—but many towns are already enforcing its principles.

What’s Changing for Tourist Rentals in Andalusia?

1. Zoning Laws Will Define Where You Can Rent

Tourist rentals will only be allowed in zones that are designated for tourism or mixed-use. These are defined in each town’s urban planning document (PGOU). If your flat is in a purely residential zone, your license might be:

• Rejected if you’re applying now

• Revoked if already issued

This is already happening. Granada revoked over 1,000 licenses, and Fuengirola and Málaga are tightening enforcement.

2. You Need a License or Declaration—Locally Controlled

Going forward, registering a VUT won’t be just an online form with the Junta. You’ll need to:

• Apply for a tourist rental license at the local level, or

• Submit a responsible declaration stating you comply with local regulations

Depending on the town, you might also need:

• A certificate from your community of owners allowing VUTs

• Proof that your flat has a separate entrance

• A compliance report from a licensed architect or legal advisor

Digital Inspections Are Coming

Agreed today in Granada, the new law includes a digital inspection system that changes how rentals are monitored and enforced.

What Does It Do?

• Collects real-time guest registration data

• Uses algorithms to detect illegal rentals, zoning violations, and undeclared income

• Allows remote inspections—you can be audited from a computer

• Will link all licenses, declarations, guest stays, and taxes under one digital system

Why It Matters for Foreign Owners

You’re responsible for ensuring:

• Your guest registrations are accurate and submitted

• Your license matches the real use and location of your property

• Your management company (if you use one) is operating legally and reporting everything correctly

Using a Management Company? Read This

If you rent through a property manager or short-term rental agency:

• You are still responsible for everything they do on your behalf.

• If they don’t register guests properly, exceed occupancy limits, or ignore noise complaints, you get fined—not them.

• Make sure your agency is:

• Registered as a legal tourism intermediary

• Issuing invoices and collecting guest IDs

• Filing stays with the police registry (registro de viajeros)

• Reporting earnings for tax purposes

Tip: Request written confirmation from your agency or manager that they are compliant with Andalusian tourism law.

April 3rd: Power to Communities of Owners

A new law already passed comes into effect on April 3, 2025, allowing homeowners’ associations to vote to prohibit or limit tourist rentals inside buildings or gated communities.

• A simple majority is enough to ban or restrict VUTs

• Applies to existing and future licenses

• Communities across Marbella, Málaga, and Fuengirola are already organizing meetings and votes

What About Other Regions in Spain?

Andalusia is following a broader national trend. Let’s briefly look at what’s happening elsewhere:

Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza):

• Tourist licenses frozen in most areas

• Zoning maps define “saturated” areas where new VUTs are banned

• Only one VUT license per person in many municipalities

Canary Islands:

• A draft law proposes a minimum 5-year ownership requirement before applying for a VUT license

• Zones with too many rentals may be declared off-limits

Barcelona:

• No new licenses for entire flat rentals

• VUT licenses are being phased out in residential buildings

• Maximum caps on tourist beds by district

Alicante (Valencia region):

• Communities can already vote to ban tourist rentals

• Municipalities are increasingly requiring project reports and building compliance certifications

• Zoning and saturation limits are in place for many coastal towns

Bottom Line: These restrictions are becoming more common across Spain—and Andalusia is now aligning with that trend.

What You Should Do Now

Here’s your action list as a responsible property owner:

1. Confirm Zoning

Ask your local ayuntamiento (or a lawyer) to confirm your flat is in a zone that permits VUT use under the local PGOU.

2. Review Your VUT License

Does your current registration match your property’s real use, capacity, and setup (e.g. separate entrance)? If not—fix it now.

3. Talk to Your Community

Find out if your building or urbanization has voted—or plans to vote—on banning tourist rentals. Be present. Be proactive.

4. Audit Your Management Company

Ensure your property manager or agency:

• Is properly licensed

• Registers all stays

• Reports all guest data to police

• Pays and declares taxes

• Follows noise, waste, and capacity rules

5. Prepare for Digital Monitoring

If you’re not reporting digitally yet, you will be soon. Get ready now to avoid issues later.

Final Thoughts

This is a new era for tourist rentals in Andalusia. It’s not about banning them entirely—it’s about ensuring they are legal, responsible, and respectful of communities.

If you’re a serious, law-abiding owner, you’ll still be able to rent and possibly benefit from less competition, as thousands of unlicensed or non-compliant properties disappear from the market.

But now, you have to know the law, follow the details, and be 100% compliant, whether you’re managing it yourself or through an agency.

I’ll continue keeping an eye on developments and breaking them down into real, practical advice. If you have questions about your situation or want help finding a reliable gestor or legal team just reach out.