Feeling confused by the conflicting information about tourist licenses?
Don’t worry anymore! At QEE Ingeniería, we handle tourist licenses every day. Here’s a summary of the most important things you need to know.
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help! Contact us.
Don’t wait too long—tourist licenses might be coming to an end, and the government is considering revoking new concessions.
What is the Vacation Rental License?
This license certifies that your property meets all legal requirements to host guests and operate a tourist rental business without worries.
Benefits of Obtaining a Tourist Apartment License in Santa Pola
Santa Pola is one of the top tourist destinations in the Valencian Community, boasting a high occupancy rate and excellent profitability.
The pleasant climate all year round, combined with its tourist attractions, ensures a steady flow of visitors.
Property costs are lower than in big cities, yet short-term rental rates remain competitive.
Obtaining a tourist license is a relatively simple process, allowing you to start generating income quickly.
Santa Pola is one of the areas with the highest number of tourist licenses in the entire Valencian Community.
A safe and profitable investment for your property!
How to Apply for a Tourist License in Santa Pola?
Here are the optimal steps to obtain your tourist license in Santa Pola.
1. Community Registry Certificate
To legally operate a tourist rental, you must obtain a certificate from the homeowners’ association stating that short-term rentals are not prohibited.
You can request this certificate from the community or the property manager, but the safest way is to obtain it through the Land Registry.
2. Habitability Certificate and Second Occupancy License in Santa Pola
Once you’ve confirmed there are no issues with the neighbors, you must prove that your property meets habitability standards. If you don’t have a valid habitability certificate, you’ll need to request a second occupancy license from the City Council.
This license must be backed by a certified architect’s signature.
3. Urban Compatibility Certificate for a Tourist Rental License
This is a crucial step—it’s the most important permit for obtaining your tourist license. You must request it from the Santa Pola City Council.
In most cases, the license is granted, but not always—there are exceptions.
4. Energy Certificate (Mandatory for Vacation Rentals)
Since the August 2024 regulation on tourist accommodations in the Valencian Community, it is now mandatory to have a valid energy certificate to operate a tourist rental.
To obtain it, a qualified technician must inspect your property and register the certificate with IVACE.
If you need assistance, we offer this service and can handle the entire process for you! See more
5. Registering Your Tourist Property with GVA Santa Pola
The final step—quick and easy—is to register your property with the Tourism Department to obtain your VT code, officially granting you a tourist license.
6. Digital Single Window Registration
Since 2025, a new procedure at the property registry is also required. With it, you get a code that must be entered on tourist platforms.
Required Documentation and Fees
The most common documents needed are:
1. Simple note or property deed
2. ID of one owner
3. Photos of the property
4. Cadastral reference
5. Digital certificate (Get yours here)
The registration fee for a 120 m² property is approximately €150.
Requirements for Obtaining a Vacation Rental License in Santa Pola
If you want to know the most important requirements, here’s a detailed list.
Santa Pola City Council and Urban Planning
In the case of Santa Pola, the urban planning regulations are not fully aligned with the tourist rental regulations.While the plan was developed some time ago and later updated, in many areas, tourist rentals are allowed.
However, it’s important to note that there are exceptions.
Tourism by the Valencian Government
Firstly, the property must meet habitability conditions, including having hot water, electricity, a fully equipped kitchen, minimum adequate dimensions, and other essential aspects.
Additionally, there are other key requirements that must be met, such as:
1. Energy certificate
2. Internet access
3. First aid kit
4. Tourist usage identification plate
5. Mandatory insurance
6. Registration and communication of travelers
…and more.
If you’d like to know all the details and requirements in depth, don’t hesitate to contact us (Contact us here).
Operating Period
Another aspect to communicate is how long the property will be used for tourist rental. Whether it’s just during the summer or from April to October, this information is required, although they may not always understand the reasoning behind it.
Community Rules on Tourist Apartments
In the Valencian Community, homeowners’ associations can establish specific rules regarding tourist apartments within their statutes.
The law allows for the prohibition or regulation of this use within the building if 3/5 of the property owners agree, even imposing additional fees on those who use their homes for tourist rentals.
Now, in the Valencian Community, it’s mandatory to present a certificate confirming that tourist rentals are not prohibited in the community’s statutes. This emphasizes the importance of considering the opinions of your neighbors, as they could directly influence the feasibility of operating a tourist rental in the building.
Tourist License Processing Time in Santa Pola
The time to obtain a tourist license typically depends on the town hall. In Santa Pola, the process is relatively quick, taking around two months.
The total cost, including fees and VAT, is approximately €500, although this may vary depending on the square footage of the property.
Tourist License Price in Santa Pola
Get a quote: (Contact us)
New 2024 Regulations for Tourist Licenses
As many of you may know, the regulations regarding tourist accommodations in the Valencian Community were tightened in August 2024. Below, we summarize the most relevant changes.
The Tourist License Expires After 5 Years
Yes, after five years, you will need to renew your tourist license. Depending on the date you obtained it, you’ll need to meet the current requirements at that time.
Maximum 10-Day Tourist Rental in the Valencian Community
One of the most controversial measures is the limitation of tourist rentals to a maximum of 10 days.
This regulation has created significant legal loopholes, leaving many questions about the possibility of offering rentals longer than 10 days through platforms like Airbnb without them being considered tourist rentals and therefore not requiring a license.
The issue is that this ambiguity is causing confusion and controversy among property owners, homeowners’ associations, and industry operators.
No More Change of Ownership for Tourist Properties
The option to buy a property with a tourist license and simply change ownership after the purchase has come to an end.
With this new regulation, any transfer of ownership will essentially require restarting the entire license application process from scratch.
This means that over time, many licenses will be lost, as in most places, reapplying for them won’t be possible.
Consequences of Not Having a Tourist Rental License: Fines and Limitations
Not having a tourist license can lead to significant fines, temporary or permanent closure of the activity, and the obligation to legalize the accommodation.
Airbnb Without a Tourist License in Santa Pola
It’s estimated that nearly half of the tourist properties in Spain are not legalized. In Santa Pola, as a more permissive area for licenses, the percentage is likely much lower.
However, it is still common to find cases where the legalization has not been properly carried out. It’s important to regularize these situations to avoid legal issues and contribute to more responsible tourism.
Penalties and Risks of Operating Without a License
According to the new decree, penalties are classified as mild, serious, and very serious.
For instance, renting out individual rooms in tourist accommodations, which is prohibited, is considered a very serious infraction. It’s essential to comply with the regulations to avoid legal problems and fines.
Apply for a Tourist License in Santa Pola
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tourist License in Santa Pola
Here are some common questions about tourist rentals.
How Long Does a Tourist License Last?
Since the new regulations came into effect in August, tourist licenses in the Valencian Community are no longer indefinite and must be renewed every 5 years.
This change means that, when renewing, you will need to meet certain requirements set by the current regulations, and it’s even possible that you may not be able to renew it.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Who Can Process the Tourist License?
Obtaining a tourist license requires the involvement of an engineer or architect, professionals who are qualified to sign off on the habitability of the property, as well as the technical reports for tourist activity and the energy certificate.
These documents are essential to meet legal requirements and ensure the accommodation complies with the necessary standards.
How to Check the Tourist Registration Code in Santa Pola
To verify that a property has a tourist license, you need to check its plaque or ask the owner for the tourist license number.
Then, visit this link and enter the code to check the status:
