Is Airbnb legal in Valencia?

Airbnb Regulations in Valencia

Valencia has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals, primarily driven by the need to balance the growth of tourism with local housing concerns. Here are the key aspects of the regulations:

Definition and Registration

A "tourist accommodation" in Valencia is defined as any property available for short-term rental for tourism purposes. Property owners must register their accommodations with the Valencian Tourism Registry (Viviendas de Uso Turístico or VUT) by submitting a formal declaration of responsibility. This declaration includes property details and owner information, and a registration number is issued upon approval.

Advertising Requirements

Hosts must display their registration number in all advertisements, including listings on platforms like Airbnb. This requirement is crucial for ensuring compliance, as failing to do so can lead to significant fines, potentially up to €600,000 for illegal rentals.

Zoning and Operational Restrictions

In Valencia, specific zoning laws stipulate that short-term rentals in the city center (Ciutat Vella) are restricted to detached single-family homes. For properties in multi-unit buildings outside the city center, rental usage is limited to 50% of the total units in a building, ensuring that not all apartments become vacation rentals.

Licensing and Inspections

Obtaining a tourist license is a prerequisite for operating a short-term rental. Licenses must be renewed every five years and property owners are subject to inspections to verify compliance with safety and quality standards, including the presence of essential amenities and emergency facilities.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental owners in Valencia are required to collect and remit various taxes, including a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) and a tourist tax ranging from €0.50 to €2 per guest per night. Proper reporting and compliance with tax obligations are essential, as the Spanish tax authority actively monitors short-term rental activities.

Enforcement and Community Impact

The local government enforces these regulations stringently, conducting thousands of inspections and issuing hefty fines for non-compliance. The aim is to manage the rapid increase in short-term rentals, protect housing availability for residents, and maintain community integrity amid growing tourist influx.

Overall, while Valencia aims to foster tourism, it does so with a structured approach that safeguards local interests and minimizes social impacts typically associated with unregulated short-term rentals. Property owners are encouraged to stay informed about ongoing changes and ensure compliance with the outlined regulations to operate legally within the city.