New Rules and Regulations in Spain 2025: What Every Tourist, Homeowner, Expat, and Business Owner Should Know

If you've lived in Spain for a while, you might think nothing here can surprise you anymore. And if you're visiting regularly or own a rental property, you probably come for the peace, food, and sunshine. But 2025 is shaking things up! ...More regulations, more bans, and a lot more fines.

Both the central government and regional authorities are trying to control the impact of mass tourism, protect public spaces, regulate short-term rentals, and modernize how businesses operate. The result? A mix of logical updates, strict rules, and yes, some hilariously bizarre bans.

Here’s a clear, practical overview of everything changing in Spain throughout 2025 that you really should be aware of, whether you're a resident, self-employed, or just trying to enjoy your sangria with a smoke on the terrace (spoiler: maybe not anymore).

1. Smoking in Spain 2025 – Even Outside? 🚭

   
   

This has become a hot topic. Spain is getting serious about cracking down on smoking, and not just indoors. New legislation targets outdoor public areas too, including:

• Restaurant and café terraces - yes, even outside

• Bus stops and covered waiting areas

• Schoolyards and university campuses

• Public swimming pools and sports facilities

• Work vehicles

Even vaping and heated tobacco products fall under these restrictions, they're now considered air contaminants in public spaces.

Some cities are already enforcing this:

• Barcelona and the Canary Islands already ban smoking on beaches.

• L'Albir (Alicante) enforces a full ban in public spaces, even near hotel pools.

Restaurant owners are already putting up "no fumar" signs to avoid fines.

2. Short-Term Rentals Under the Microscope – Spain Targets Airbnb-Style Listings

   
   

Own a property in Spain that you rent out short-term? Big changes are coming:

Starting July 1, 2025, a national digital registry will become mandatory for all tourist rentals.

What it means:

• Every short-term rental must have a valid license number

• This number must appear on every listing — or it’ll be taken down

• Platforms like Airbnb and Booking will be legally responsible for enforcing this

• Unregistered rentals face heavy fines and removal without compensation

Region-specific warning: Andalusia goes further since April 3, 2025, homeowner associations (comunidad de propietarios) can vote to ban tourist rentals. If 60% of neighbors (by vote and ownership share) say no, even a valid license won’t save you.

Cities like Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, and Seville are under public pressure to protect housing availability for locals, and tourist rentals are in the spotlight.

✅ Already renting? Double-check your license and check your building's community rules.

✅ Planning to invest? Verify zoning and license availability before you buy.

3. Doing Business in Spain (2025/2026) – Mandatory Electronic Invoicing with VeriFactu

   
   

Spain is phasing in VeriFactu, a certified e-invoicing system designed to combat tax fraud.

Timeline:

• Developers: Must comply by July 1, 2025

• Companies: Jan 1, 2026

• Freelancers (autónomos): July 1, 2026

What’s required:

• Invoice must be created using certified software

• It must generate a QR code and a unique code (CSV)

• Invoices must be sent to the tax office (AEAT) automatically or on request

No more editable Excel or PDF invoices.

Management companies in tourism (check-ins, cleaning, etc.) must comply.

What if you invoice from abroad (e.g. Czech Republic) but work in Spain?

• Technically possible, but legally risky

• If your services are carried out physically in Spain, done regularly, and you live here, you're likely considered a tax resident or permanent establishment

This means:

• You must register in Spain as autónomo or open an S.L.

• You’ll need to charge Spanish VAT (IVA)

• You risk retroactive taxes, fines, and invalidated invoices

  
  

  4. Driving in Spain: What You Need to Know to Avoid Fines 🚗

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Spain might feel relaxed, but road rules are strictly enforced, and tourists are often targeted.

Can I drive in flip-flops or barefoot?

• Technically not illegal, but police can fine you if your footwear affects safe control

• Flip-flops, high heels, or driving barefoot can result in a €200 fine

Alcohol behind the wheel 🍺

• Limit: 0.5 ‰, 0.3 ‰ for new/professional drivers

• Fines: Up to €1,000, loss of license points, or even criminal charges

Using a phone while driving:

• €200 fine + 6 points off your license

• Even touching your phone at a red light is punishable

  
  

  Other fines to watch out for:

• No seatbelt: €200

• Loud music near schools or hospitals: up to €300

• Drugs: €1,000 + license suspension

• Speeding in town (20 km/h): €100–300

• Parking in disabled space w/o permit: up to €1,000

✅ Read rental car fine print – you’re usually liable for any infractions.

✅ Police are especially active in tourist zones.

5. Weird and Bizarre Fines That Actually Exist in Spain 🤯

Spain can be warm and welcoming, but surprisingly strict when it comes to public behavior, especially in summer. Here are the most real (and really weird) bans in effect:

Peeing in the sea = up to €1,340 fine (Vigo, Galicia)

• Hard to prove, but if you look "suspicious" in the water, beware

Reserving sunbeds with towels = €200 (Cullera, Benidorm, parts of Málaga)

• Towels left unattended are removed and fined as illegal occupation

Walking in swimwear off the beach = up to €300

• Applies in Barcelona, Palma, Málaga, Valencia

• Shirtless men and bikini-clad women on the street can be fined

Sleeping in your car = up to €750

• Banned in many coastal areas unless you're in a registered campsite

Loud noise after 11 pm = measured in decibels

• Even talking loudly on your terrace can be fined

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✅ Always check local ordinances – each town can set its own quirks

✅ When in doubt: wear a shirt, pee in a bar, and keep the music low

Final Thoughts

Spain remains one of Europe’s most beautiful and welcoming destinations, but in 2025, it's also becoming more regulated. The goal isn't to scare you, but to help you stay informed, avoid nasty surprises, and enjoy your time here without stress.

So whether you're living here, renting out a property, running a business, or just planning a sunny escape:

• Check the local rules (they really do vary!)

• Don’t rely on outdated tourist blogs

• And most importantly: don't smoke on terraces, park on yellow lines... or pee in the sea 😉