After studying and understanding the requirements to obtain a tourist license in Catalonia, let’s emphasize the necessary requirements to obtain a tourist license in Barcelona.
Barcelona is a top-tier tourist destination. The city has a fantastic geo-strategic location and is a key destination for tourism or business interests. This interest in the city creates the need for accommodation for anyone who needs to overnight.
Below, we’ll understand the current applicable laws regulating tourist licenses, as well as the restrictive regulations for tourist licenses depending on the area of Barcelona.
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The current situation of tourist licenses in Barcelona is marked by a series of measures aimed at regulating tourist use housing in the city. The regulation is determined by the application of Decree Law 3/2023 of Catalonia and the Special Urban Planning Plan for Tourist Accommodations (PEUAT).
The Government of Catalonia modified the Urban Planning Law of Catalonia with Decree Law 3/2023 with the intention of adding restrictions and limiting tourist housing, particularly in the city of Barcelona and generally throughout Catalonia.
With the arrival of Decree Law 3/2023, the validity period of urban licenses for VUT has been limited to five years, extendable for equal periods, provided that urban planning allows it.
The number of licenses has been restricted, not allowing more than 10 VUT licenses per 100 inhabitants in affected municipalities.
Jaume Collboni, mayor of Barcelona, has announced a plan to eliminate all tourist licenses in the city of Barcelona by 2028. Collboni relies on the aforementioned Decree, giving priority decision-making on license renewals directly to the city councils, which can deny renewal once 5 years have passed since the license came into effect. This measure involves a modification of the PEUAT Plan, eliminating the tourist apartment category.
The PEUAT (Special Urban Planning Plan for Tourist Accommodations) is the urban planning instrument that regulates the implementation of tourist accommodations in Barcelona, including VUT. Its objective is to balance residential and tourist use in the city. The plan divides the city into different zones with specific regulations:
Decline zones (Zone 1): Areas with high concentration of tourist accommodations where new licenses are not allowed and the aim is to reduce the existing number.
Maintenance zones (Zone 2): Areas where the current number of tourist accommodations can be maintained, but no new licenses are granted.
Contained growth zones (Zone 3): Areas where new tourist accommodation licenses are allowed under certain conditions.
Transformation zones (Zone 4): Areas undergoing urban transformation where the implementation of tourist accommodations will be evaluated according to the area’s development.
Yes, tourist licenses can be obtained in the city of Barcelona currently, but subject to many restrictions. It should be noted that operations can still continue through tourist accommodations or VUT, but Barcelona City Council plans to withdraw tourist licenses by 2028.
The requirements to obtain a tourist license in Barcelona are as follows:
The tourist license application must be made by the owner or legal usufructuary. In case of multiple owners, there must be express agreement for the application. If the property is in a homeowners’ association, ensure that the bylaws express the neighbors’ consent for vacation rental of any property.
The property must be located in Zone 3 of the city where the Special Urban Planning Plan for Tourist Accommodations (PEUAT) allows the activity. Currently, 3 of the 4 established zones do not allow new licenses. You can check viability by address at this official link: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/pla-allotjaments-turistics/es
The housing must have a valid habitability certificate, and the number of occupants cannot exceed the maximum indicated on it.
The owner is obliged to make the guest registration with the Mossos d’Esquadra of the data of people staying in the property. A rental contract with the conditions must be provided to the guests.
The owner or legal usufructuary is responsible for the tenants’ incidents in the housing, as well as with neighbors. You must have civil liability insurance that covers possible damage to third parties.
The property must be registered in the Registre de Turisme de Catalunya (RTC) and obtain the registration number (NIRTC). This number must be visible inside the property and on all rental platforms where the accommodation is promoted.
Since 2023, it is mandatory to obtain a municipal urban license that certifies the tourist use of the property. These licenses have a maximum duration of 5 years and can be renewed if regulations allow. Renewal will be at the discretion of the municipal council.
Before starting the activity, a responsible declaration must be submitted to the City Council. Each city council will have its own responsible declaration model. You must contact the municipal city council to obtain their responsible declaration model.
From 2025 (reform of the Horizontal Property Law), the consent of the homeowners’ association with a 3/5 majority will be required to operate as a tourist accommodation. The owner must provide neighbors or the community with a contact phone number for incidents.
