Vacation homes have gained significant popularity as tourist accommodations in recent years. Many travelers now prefer them over traditional hotel stays, drawn by better nightly rates, greater comfort, and more on-site amenities. To meet this growing demand, a new generation of vacation rental platforms has emerged, connecting property owners with travelers around the world.
Since July 1, 2025, all Spanish vacation rental properties are required to have a Single Registry Number (NRU) to advertise on digital platforms. This centralized registry, managed by the College of Registrars, ensures transparency, helps combat tax fraud, and makes it easier for local and regional authorities to oversee the sector.
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Vacation rental platforms are websites and apps that bring together a wide range of overnight accommodation options in one place. They help property owners generate income from their homes while making it easy for guests to find the right fit — whether that means a city-center apartment, a villa with a private pool, or a luxury rural retreat.
Guest reviews play a central role on these platforms. Posted after each stay, they influence future bookings and encourage owners to keep their properties in top condition.
Booking.com handles virtually every type of tourist accommodation — hostels, rural homes, hotels, guesthouses, campgrounds, vacation apartments, chalets, cabins, and even bubble hotels. After more than 20 years in operation, the platform now reports 1.5 million daily bookings. It began as a hotel reservation service before expanding to include flights and car rentals, evolving into a comprehensive travel platform. Booking.com charges owners a commission of between 10% and 20% per booking, and supports online check-in integrations such as Check-in Scan.
Airbnb is one of the most recognized vacation rental platforms in the world. With over 100 million users and 7 million listings, it specializes in unique tourist apartments and private homes rather than traditional hotels. The platform also offers insurance that protects both guests and owners in the event of accidents. Airbnb operates on a commission model of 14–17% per booking, with two payment structures available: a shared model where guests pay 14.2% and owners pay a minimum of 3%, or a full owner model where the owner covers 14–16%.
Expedia works similarly to Booking.com, listing multiple accommodation types and extending its offer to cruise packages. One of its key advantages for owners is that a listing on Expedia also appears across other platforms within the Expedia Group, including Vrbo and Hotels.com, increasing overall visibility. A premium membership is available for those who meet certain criteria and want further exposure. Commissions range from 10% to 30% per booking.
Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia are required to display each property’s NRU and remove any unregistered listings within 48 hours of notification — a regulation that has prompted many owners to ensure their licenses are in order.
Originally launched as HomeAway in 1995 and now part of the Expedia Group, Vrbo is similar to Airbnb but with a focus on families and larger groups. It lists only complete homes rather than individual rooms, and allows guests to contact owners directly from the outset. This makes it particularly well-suited for renting larger properties. Unlike most competitors, Vrbo offers an annual fee model rather than per-booking commissions.
Integrated within Google Travel, this platform allows users to search and compare vacation rentals directly through Google Search and Maps. Rather than facilitating bookings itself, Google redirects users to the owner’s website or a partner platform such as Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com. Users can filter results by dates, number of guests, price, property type, and amenities.
Owned by the idealista Group, Rentalia is a leading platform for mid and long-term rentals in Spain, with coverage extending to popular European destinations including Portugal, Croatia, and the French Riviera. There are no fees for guests, and owners benefit from a one-month free trial before choosing between a 10% booking commission or a fixed annual fee of €120.
Created by Spanish entrepreneur Kike Sarasola and part of the Room Mate Group, BeMate sets itself apart by offering hotel-style services within tourist apartments, giving guests a more elevated experience than a standard rental.
Part of the TripAdvisor Group, Niumba focuses on tourist apartment rentals. Owners can list their properties for free or opt for a paid plan to boost visibility.
Founded in Singapore in 2005 and now part of Booking Holdings, Agoda has a particularly strong presence in Asia but operates globally with over 4 million listings spanning hotels, apartments, hostels, and villas. Listing is free for owners, with a commission of around 15% depending on location. Agoda benefits from the wider technology infrastructure and user network of Booking Holdings.
Check-in Scan integrates with all the leading platforms mentioned above. For vacation home owners, this means check-in management and the reporting of guest data to the relevant authorities are handled automatically — removing administrative burden and reducing the risk of errors. This kind of automation helps owners stay compliant, protects both parties from potential legal penalties, and allows more time to focus on delivering a great guest experience.
