Major Spanish tourism companies have been pressing the government for months, pushing for clear regulation to curb the spread of illegal tourist apartments. In repeated meetings with the administration, they have urged state legislation that would align with the regulations already adopted by autonomous communities and municipalities, aiming to halt the rapid rise of tourist housing (VUT).
Perfect, a high-level coalition bringing together the thirty largest industry players including Meliá, NH, Riu, Iberostar, and Palladium is pressuring the government to leverage the Housing Act to curb illegal listings. The group has openly expressed disappointment and confusion because the proposed regulation reached by the coalition partners—PSOE, Unidas Podemos, ERC, and EH Bildu—omits tourist rental entirely and notes potential consequences, leaving the article to unfold as is.
“It is crucial that the future Housing Act does not exempt housing used for tourism,” warned José Luis Zoreda, vice president of Exceltur, at a press conference on Thursday. “If the law bypasses touristic apartments, it will deviate from the goal of promoting affordable rents. The code should acknowledge the negative externalities caused by uncontrolled growth in tourist housing,” he added.
Limit rent increases
From the industry’s powerhouse lobby, the future Housing Act could trigger a major shift in rental arrangements in areas under pressure, such as city centers where tourism has become a dominant factor and where price rises have pushed many properties into the tourist market. Platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are the main conduits in this transition.
“If no measures are taken, the supply for rent will swing decisively toward tourist apartments, granting them price freedom and removing constraints. We fear this future split,” stressed Zoreda, noting direct outreach to the executive to address the issue.
“The key is to ensure the Housing Code envisions clear principles that facilitate the alignment with autonomous and local VUT regulations during parliamentary debates,” Exceltur explained in its latest quarterly report. “It would promote a faster transfer of regulated residential housing and put tourist stays under full price discipline, countering what the spirit of the law intends.”
Exceltur has urged the government to use the Housing Act, or to issue one or more ad hoc decrees. A special legal regime for tourist-use residences and their contracts, obligations for online platforms to curb illegal hospitality marketing, and stronger powers for owner communities to halt the trend are all on the table. A new nationwide framework would help ensure municipal and regional rules are followed in practice and curb the expansion of unregulated tourist apartments.
Moving the debate to the EU
The tourism lobby is also pushing the government to seize opportunities on the European stage. The presidency of the Council of Europe will host a key meeting later this year to steer the discussion on community regulation of tourism rentals and defend Spain’s status as a premier tourism destination on the continent.
The European Commission is actively shaping future rules to widen transparency requirements for digital platforms and address illegal tourist listings. A proposed move includes creating a registry of property owners and homes that would demand registration for tourist rentals, aiming to curb illicit activity.
The government has pledged strong support for efforts against illegal housing. At a recent Exceltur conference, Rosana Morillo, Minister for Tourism, affirmed a firm stance in backing European measures to counter illegal accommodations that bear social costs and risk tarnishing the Spanish tourism brand.