Aug 21 2025

The Registration of Tourism Companies and Activities in Spain: A Legal Instrument for the Protection of Consumer Rights

As of July 2025, the new Single Registry for tourist and seasonal rentals in Spain has come into force. This measure, promoted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, aims to regulate and supervise tourist rentals and is governed by Royal Decree 1312/2024, dated December 23, which regulates the procedure of the Single Registry of Leases and creates the Digital One-Stop Shop for Leases for the collection and exchange of data related to short-term accommodation rental services.

The objective of this registry is to improve market transparency in the rental sector, facilitate the control of short-term accommodations, and ensure compliance with both national and European regulations.

Essentially, this registry constitutes a nationwide database in which all properties offered for short stays—including those in the tourism and seasonal sectors—must be registered.

Legal Obligations for Registered Companies

Firstly, this Single Registry of Tourist and Seasonal Rentals obliges all vacation rental owners to obtain a unique identification number for each accommodation, which is mandatory to advertise the property on digital platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, Expedia, etc.

Therefore, it affects the following operators:

Lessees of dwellings intended for vacation or tourist rental, who must obtain a unique registration number (NRA), having processed it before the corresponding Property Registry or Registry of Movable Assets. Additionally, they must provide and keep the property registration updated, communicate the registration number to the relevant digital platforms, and respond to requests from authorities, attending information requests and submitting an annual report listing the rentals performed. Failure to comply may result in cancellation of the NRA.
Digital platforms dedicated to vacation rentals, such as Airbnb, Booking, or similar, which must verify and display the registration number of each property. They must provide control tools to the lessor and additionally send monthly the NRAs, addresses, URL of the listings, and activity information of each property. They must also remove or disable listings whose registration has been suspended or withdrawn.
Companies offering short-term accommodation rental services, which are equally obliged to obtain and communicate the NRA if they act as direct lessors or on behalf of third parties. They must notify any changes in the accommodation data, communicate the withdrawal or cessation of activity of a property, and ensure that the registration data reflect the actual situation.

In short, the regulation establishes that all properties intended for temporary rental must be registered and have a unique registration number to be legally advertised and operated.

Consumer Rights Acquired in Relation to These Companies

Although the obligation of this single registry focuses on short-term leases, it indirectly reinforces consumer rights by demanding greater transparency and traceability.

In summary, following the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users (LGDCU), the following consumer rights are reinforced:

Right to truthful, complete, and verified information.
Right to transparency in the offer of properties on digital platforms.
Right to traceability and claims.
Right to know the person responsible for the property.
Right to a legal and safe environment.

While the Royal Decree does not explicitly enumerate consumer rights, it strengthens their protection by requiring transparent registrations, reliable information, traceability, and clear responsibilities. This empowers users and improves their capacity to make claims and make informed decisions.

How is the Registration Conducted? Are There Penalties for Non-Compliance?

The registration process can be completed through a form via the Digital One-Stop Shop for Leases managed by the Ministry of Housing.

Any natural or legal person renting dwellings or short-term accommodations (less than 30 days), any company managing or brokering such rentals, or any platform advertising these accommodations (Booking, Airbnb, etc.)—provided economic remuneration is obtained—must register.

Upon registration, a Unique Lease Registration Number (NRA) is generated, which must be mandatorily included in any publication of the accommodation. This number is unique for each accommodation unit and enables the Administration to track its activity.

Failure to register may result in the following consequences:

Monetary fines ranging from €3,000 to €60,000.
Removal of listings from digital platforms.
Inability to operate within the tourist rental market.

Indeed, control mechanisms are established through the competent Registry of Movable Assets and the national digital single gateway, which facilitates the exchange of data related to short-term leases.