Tourist Rental on the Costa Brava 2026: Licences, Rules and What Investors Must Know

In short: can you buy on the Costa Brava and rent to tourists?

Yes — but not every property, and not everywhere. Short-term tourist rental in Catalonia (by the night, for stays of up to 31 nights) is only allowed with a valid tourist licence (HUT — Habitatge d’Ús Turístic). In many coastal municipalities, including Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and much of the Costa Brava, new licences are currently frozen. So the key principle for 2026 is this: if you are buying to let to tourists, the licence must already exist on the property and be correctly transferred to you at the sale.

Below we explain how this works in practice and what to check before buying. This is a general overview, not legal advice — every specific property needs to be checked with a lawyer.

Tourist rental vs long-term rental: the difference

In Catalonia, the line between “tourist” and “ordinary” rental is the length of stay.

• Up to 31 nights — this is tourist rental (HUT). It requires a tourist licence, registration in the Catalan Tourism Registry, and a national registration number.
• 32 days or more — this is seasonal or long-term rental. It falls under the Urban Leases Law (LAU) and does not require a tourist licence.

This matters: long-term rental (from 30 days) can be done without a tourist licence. That is exactly why many owners without an HUT rent on a seasonal or long-term basis.

The key fact for 2026: new licences are barely being issued

Following Decree-Law 3/2023, the rules in Catalonia tightened. A cap was set: no more than 10 licensed tourist properties per 100 inhabitants of a municipality. The decree applies not to all but to around 262 municipalities with housing-access problems. Licences are no longer indefinite — new ones are issued for 5 years with the option to renew, and existing licences have a transition period after which they too must be confirmed.

In addition, municipalities under pressure on the housing market are classified as “stressed”, and in those zones new tourist licences are frozen. As of 2026, this list covers much of the Costa Brava coastline, including Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Cadaqués. In several popular municipalities (for example Platja d’Aro and Calonge) the number of licences already exceeds the cap.

The practical takeaway for buyers: in these areas you should not count on obtaining a new tourist licence right now. The realistic route to tourist rental is buying a property that already holds one.

Buying to let? The licence must transfer with the property

This is where the most common mistake happens. In Catalonia, the tourist licence is attached to its holder, not automatically to the property. That means when you buy a house or apartment with a licence, the transfer must be handled correctly.

In Catalonia, the HUT licence transfers to the new owner with a notification (not an approval) to the Generalitat within 30 days of the sale. Most transfers go through, but it is important to know that the new owner also inherits any open infraction file on the property, if one exists.

In practice: when buying “with a licence”, you need to confirm the licence is valid, that its transfer is written into the sale, and that the property has no open issues. This is checked by a lawyer before signing.

If it’s an apartment: the community of owners’ approval

With the reform of the Horizontal Property Law, in force since 3 April 2025, there is another important condition for apartments in multi-family buildings. A new tourist rental now requires the approval of the community of owners — by a 3/5 (60%) majority vote.

So even if a licence is possible for the zone in principle, the building’s community can vote against tourist activity, and short-term letting would then not be allowed. Communities are increasingly using this power to protect the building’s peace and quiet.

For a buyer this means: if you are buying an apartment to let to tourists, you must check the community’s statutes and minutes to see whether tourist activity is prohibited. For detached houses and villas this factor does not apply, which makes them more flexible in this respect.

Registration and reporting

Since July 2025, a single national short-term rental registration number (NRU) is mandatory for listing on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking. Platforms must verify it before publishing a listing. There is also an obligation to report guest data to the Ministry of the Interior’s system.

Non-compliance carries serious fines — for serious infractions in Catalonia these can reach significant amounts. Legality is something to take seriously, not to improvise.

What this means for an investor: a realistic view

The picture for 2026 is as follows:

• Buying and legally letting by the night is mostly possible through a property that already holds a licence (new ones are frozen in most coastal zones).
• For apartments, the community-of-owners factor is added.
• Long-term and seasonal rental (from 32 days) requires no licence — a workable, stable option that is often underrated.
• Detached houses and villas are more flexible than apartments in this regard.

Future returns depend on market conditions and the specific property, so it would be wrong to promise “guaranteed income”. But with the right property and a clear understanding of the rules, rental remains a genuine tool.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get a new tourist licence in Lloret de Mar in 2026?

At present, Lloret de Mar is among the “stressed” municipalities where new tourist licences are frozen. The realistic route is buying a property that already holds a licence. Status can change, so it must be checked for the specific address.

Do you need a licence for long-term rental?

No. Rental for 32 days or more is seasonal or long-term and falls under the Urban Leases Law, with no tourist licence required.

Does the licence transfer when you buy a house?

In Catalonia, the licence is attached to the holder and transfers to the new owner with a notification to the Generalitat within 30 days of the sale. The transfer must be handled correctly, and the property checked for any open infractions.

Can the building’s community ban tourist rental?

Yes. Since April 2025, a new tourist rental in a multi-family building requires community approval by a 60% majority. The community can vote against it.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is a general overview for orientation. Rules vary by municipality and change regularly, so each specific property needs to be checked with a lawyer and current data.

About the author: this guide was prepared by the team at VivendaNova — a boutique real estate agency on the Costa Brava. We work with property in Lloret de Mar and neighbouring municipalities, including properties that hold a valid tourist licence, and guide buyers through every step of the transaction, including checking the licence status.

The information in this article is general and current as of 2026; it is not legal advice. Tourist licensing is governed by municipal and regional rules that can change; consult a lawyer for a specific property.