Spain: Valencia to restrict holiday rentals /update 1

Event

The regional parliament of Valencia agreed on amendments to a new Tourism Law in early May that will be voted in before summer that will give authorities expanded power to regulate holiday rentals. Buildings that are entirely used for holiday rentals will require a special license, and most apartments available for rent to tourists will be limited to ground-floor and first–floor units. Individuals who wish to rent out an apartment will need to obtain authorization from local authorities and add the property to a regional register.

Context

Similar regulations have been put in place by other regional governments in popular tourist destinations. Majora officials announced in early May that holiday apartment rentals would be banned in the city of Palma starting on July 1. Officials in Barcelona have also shut down around 1000 apartments across the city and fined websites Airbnb and Homeaway.

Advice

Individuals traveling to Valencia and Majorca should anticipate higher demand for hotels and plan accordingly.