Vacation rental housing has become a business with higher profitability than most other investments. Currently, with mass-market vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or Booking, it’s relatively easy to find guests for tourist accommodation.
To start generating economic returns from vacation rental housing in the Canary Islands, several requirements must be met.
In 2025, Canary Islands vacation housing regulations have undergone significant changes affecting authorization, control, and operation of this type of accommodation. Owners must stay informed about these modifications to remain compliant.
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Per Decree 113/2015 published in the Official Canary Islands Bulletin, vacation housing is defined as “furnished and equipped homes in immediate use condition meeting this Regulation’s requirements, marketed or promoted through tourist channels, temporarily and entirely ceded to third parties regularly for vacation accommodation purposes in exchange for payment.”
Note that several decree provisions have been overturned by the Supreme Court and don’t apply, specifically those prohibiting room rentals and rentals on tourist or mixed-use land. A new regional law is being processed with stricter controls, including permitted zone limitations, tighter oversight, and a 10% cap on new buildings for vacation rentals, especially on islands with sensitive ecosystems.
Beyond definition requirements, additional requirements exist for legal vacation rental operation:
The habitability certificate is an official document certifying a home meets minimum habitability standards set by current legislation, covering hygiene, health, structural solidity, and minimum services like ventilation, lighting, potable water, electricity, and drainage.
To get the certificate, request assistance from an authorized technician to issue the habitability certificate, then take it to the local town hall to request the official cédula.
Vacation homes generally require interior/exterior door locks and a first aid kit.
Single bedrooms need 90cm beds; double beds must be 135cm. Rooms require blackout systems, independent lighting, hangers, and bedding (sheets, pillows, duvets, bedspreads…).
Kitchens must have tableware, coffee maker, necessary cookware, oven or microwave, and ironing board.
Bathrooms require mirrors, towels (one bath towel and one hand towel per guest), shower water containment systems, hairdryer, towel racks (heated or not), toilet paper holders, and hairdryer.
Beyond traditional items, vacation homes must include safety and sustainability systems per new regulations, like accessibility for reduced mobility persons.
First, gather required documentation to register as vacation housing, varying by island cabildo but with common documents.
Since 2025, inscription in the new National Single Tourist Rental Registry is mandatory, plus regional registry and municipal authorization certifying legal operation.
Prove ownership or exploitation rights. For ownership, provide purchase contract or deeds; for management, provide owner power of attorney.
Submit Model 400 to IGIC (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax) registering your tourist accommodation under heading 1685 “Non-hotel tourist accommodations.”
Mandatory to display in ads and include in rental contracts. Issued by qualified technician detailing energy efficiency grade.
Canary Islands Public Administration requires property plans and public land location.
Civil liability insurance policy.
The civil liability insurance policy, required for registration, is a contract where the insurer covers economic damages the insured may cause third parties involuntarily or negligently, creating legal liability. Not the same as home insurance.
Submit the final, most important document: responsible declaration informing public administration of intent to rent for tourist use, for inclusion in the Canary Islands Regional Tourist Companies and Activities Registry.
New legislation balances tourism growth with environmental protection and local quality of life. Compliance is essential for legal, sustainable vacation rental operation in the Canary Islands.
Once listed in the Canary Islands Regional Tourist Companies and Activities Registry, before generating rental income, note:
