Spain’s Supreme Court has struck down the country’s controversial national registry for Airbnb-style tourist rentals in a major victory for regional governments and holiday let owners.
The ruling cancels the so-called ‘Unique Rental Registry Number’ system that became mandatory for short-term rental properties across Spain on July 1, 2025.
But what exactly changes now and what does it mean for owners on the Costa del Sol and across Spain?
What was the national tourist rental registry?
The system was introduced under Royal Decree 1312/2024 and required every short-term rental property listed online – including Airbnb-style homes and seasonal rentals – to obtain a single national registration number.
Owners were also expected to submit annual rental declarations through the system.
The measure formed part of Madrid’s wider crackdown on tourist apartments amid Spain’s housing crisis.
Why did the Supreme Court cancel it?
Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that the central government did not have the legal authority to create a nationwide registry that overlaps with existing regional tourism registries.
Judges said regulation of tourist housing belongs primarily to Spain’s autonomous regions, not the national government.
The court stressed that EU Regulation 2024/1028, which Spain cited when creating the registry, does not require countries to operate a centralised national system.
Instead, the ruling found Madrid had overstepped its constitutional powers by imposing a state-controlled registry on top of regional ones already operating across Spain.
What parts of the law survive?
The ruling does not completely dismantle the system.
The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the ‘single digital window’ used for data exchange between platforms and authorities.
This means online platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com will still have obligations to share rental data with authorities.
Statistical reporting and coordination mechanisms also remain valid.
What does this mean for tourist rental owners?
According to legal experts, owners will no longer be required to obtain the national ‘Unique Rental Registry Number’.
That means:
- no more duplicate national registration alongside regional licences,
- no obligation to file annual declarations through the cancelled registry,
- and potentially fewer administrative hurdles for owners already registered with regional authorities.
In practical terms, owners in Andalucia, Valencia, Catalonia and other regions will continue operating under their existing regional tourist rental systems.
Does Andalucia still regulate tourist rentals?
The ruling does not remove Andalucia’s own tourist rental laws or licensing requirements.
Properties on the Costa del Sol still need to comply with regional regulations imposed by the Junta de Andalucia and local town halls.
Malaga, Marbella and other tourism hotspots have continued tightening controls amid mounting pressure over housing affordability and overtourism.
Why is the ruling politically significant?
The case was originally brought by the Valencian regional government, which argued Madrid had invaded regional powers.
The decision is also likely to create problems for several new regional tourism laws currently being developed – including Andalucia’s proposed Sustainable Tourism Law.
That legislation had planned to introduce another regional registration system, potentially creating further duplication.
What happens next?
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Spain is still under pressure from Brussels to improve oversight of short-term rentals.
In February, the European Commission warned against duplicate registration systems and ordered member states to eliminate incompatible administrative duplication by May 20, 2026.
As a result, Spain is now expected to move toward a more coordinated system between regions and platforms rather than a single centralised national registry.
