Tourist lets in the Valencia region must have a licence from the Generalitat Valenciana. That licence depends on the owner obtaining:
A certificate from the local town hall confirming that the property can be used as a tourist let
Approval from the community of owners.
The town hall certificate
The town hall must confirm that the application complies with the municipality’s zoning rules. It has the power to set a cap on the number of tourist letting licences in specific areas, so it is important to check whether an application for a tourist licence is possible within an area of interest.
Approval from the community
Since 3 April 2025 tourist lets are generally prohibited unless the community of owners approves them. Properties that were legally operated as tourist lets before the law was introduced may continue to be let, but the community may charge a surcharge of up to 20 % because of the increased use of communal areas when the property is let.
The use of key boxes on public streets and in communal areas of the building is not permitted, and all advertising for the property must include the registration number. Owners are now also expected to give their guests information about community rules and the use of facilities — these must be signed. Tourist licences must be renewed every five years.
An important test case for the future
This may not be the end of the story yet. Valencia city council is thought to be considering an appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court against the high court’s decision. The outcome could be significant not only for Valencia but also for other cities introducing similar restrictions.
The question of affordable property for local people, and the dependence of many of these areas on tourist money, remains a difficult balance to strike. It is still unclear whether increasing restrictions will make property more accessible to those who live in these areas.