Holiday Rental License in Murcia

If you own a property in Murcia and want to rent it out to tourists, through Airbnb, Booking.com or any other platform, you need a holiday rental licence before you can legally do so. Renting without one exposes you to significant fines from the regional authorities. At PALS, we handle the entire application process on your behalf, so you can start generating income from your property without the paperwork headache.

What is a tourist licence in Spain and do I need one?

A tourist licence (licencia de vivienda turística) is the official permit that allows you to legally rent your property to holidaymakers for short stays. In the Murcia region, this is regulated by the Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia, and the rules have tightened considerably in recent years.

You need a tourist licence if you rent your property, or any room in it, to tourists for periods of less than two months. It doesn’t matter whether you advertise on Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo or any other platform: if money changes hands for a short term holiday stay, the licence is required.

Platforms like Airbnb are now required to report rental activity to the Spanish tax authorities, which means renting without a licence is increasingly difficult to do undetected, and the fines for doing so are substantial.

Holiday rental licence in Murcia, what the requirements are

To obtain a holiday rental licence in Murcia (registered as a vivienda turística), your property must meet a set of minimum requirements set by the regional government. The key ones are:

The property must have a valid habitation certificate (cédula de habitabilidad or licencia de primera ocupación).
It must have adequate ventilation, natural light and hot water.
Each bedroom must meet minimum size requirements.
The property must have a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency contact information displayed.
It must comply with basic accessibility and safety standards.

Once the licence is granted, your property is registered in the regional tourism registry and assigned a registration number, which must appear in all your advertising.

How to get a Tourist licence in Spain: the process with PALS

The application process involves submitting a declaración responsable (responsible declaration) to the Murcia regional tourism authority, along with supporting documentation. In practice, it requires gathering the right paperwork, completing the forms correctly and dealing with the administration, which is where most property owners run into delays.

Why Choose PALS?

Expert Local Knowledge

Our deep understanding of Murcia’s regional regulations ensures your application is filed correctly the first time.

Hassle-Free Process

We handle all the administrative «paperwork headaches» while you focus on preparing your home for guests.

Ongoing Tax Support

Our accounting team ensures you remain compliant with Modelo 210 filings after the license is granted.

We review your property documents to confirm it meets the requirements.

We prepare and submit the declaración responsable on your behalf.

We liaise with the regional tourism authority throughout the process.

We notify you once the registration number has been issued and you’re clear to advertise.

Tourist licence for Costa Cálida properties

The Costa Cálida, covering areas including Puerto de Mazarrón, Bolnuevo, Mazarrón, Águilas, Cartagena and the Mar Menor, is one of the most active short term rental markets in the Murcia region. Properties here are in high demand from UK, Irish, German and Scandinavian visitors, particularly during the summer months.

Whether your property is in a residential community, a detached villa or a coastal apartment, the same regional rules apply. Our offices in Puerto de Mazarrón and Condado de Alhama mean we know this area well and can advise you on any local factors that might affect your application.

Getting the licence is only part of the picture. Once you start generating rental income in Spain, you have tax obligations, both in Spain and potentially in the UK.

As a non-resident landlord, you are required to file quarterly tax returns (Modelo 210) declaring your rental income to the Spanish tax authority (Agencia Tributaria). The current non-resident income tax rate on rental income is 19% for EU/EEA residents and 24% for others.

Renting your property in Spain legally: tax obligations

«If you’re a UK national, you also need to declare Spanish rental income on your UK Self Assessment return, though double taxation treaties mean you won’t pay tax twice on the same income. Our tax and accounting team can handle your Spanish rental tax returns alongside your licence application, so everything is managed in one place.»

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to rent on Airbnb in Spain?

Yes. Renting your property on Airbnb, Booking.com or any other platform for short-term holiday stays requires a tourist licence in Spain. Airbnb now shares rental data with Spanish tax authorities, so renting without a licence is both illegal and increasingly detectable. Fines can run into thousands of euros.

How long does it take to get a holiday rental licence in Murcia?

When the application is submitted correctly with complete documentation, most licences in Murcia are processed within a few weeks. Incomplete applications or missing documents are the most common cause of delays. PALS prepares everything upfront to avoid this.

Can I rent out a room rather than the whole property?

In Murcia, the tourist licence regulations apply to the whole property, not individual rooms. If you want to rent rooms separately, different rules may apply. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

What happens if I rent without a tourist licence in Murcia?

Renting without a licence in Murcia is a serious infraction. Fines range from several thousand euros for minor infractions up to tens of thousands for serious or repeated violations. The regional tourism authority also has the power to order you to stop renting immediately.

Do I need to pay tax on my holiday rental income in Spain?

Yes. As a non-resident property owner, you must file quarterly tax returns in Spain declaring your rental income. The applicable rate depends on your country of residence. Our tax team can handle these returns for you.

What is a vivienda turística in Murcia?

Vivienda turística is the official Spanish term for a property registered for tourist rental use. It’s the category your property falls into when you obtain a holiday rental licence in Murcia, and the registration number must appear in all your online listings.