Tourist rental licence in Andalusia (VFT): a step-by-step guide

If you own a home in Marbella or anywhere on the Costa del Sol and want to let it to holidaymakers, the first step isn't taking photos or listing on Airbnb: it's making sure it's fully compliant. In Andalusia that means registering it as a vivienda con fines turísticos (VFT) and meeting several obligations that have changed considerably in recent years.

In this guide we explain, step by step and in plain English, what you need today.

1. Check that your home can be a tourist let

Before starting any paperwork, check three things:

• That the town hall allows it in your area. Some municipalities have restricted new tourist lets in certain neighbourhoods (Málaga city is the best-known case). In others, such as Marbella, it depends on the area and the town-planning rules.
• That your community of owners allows it. Since April 2025, if your home is in a building or complex under horizontal property rules, starting a new tourist-let activity requires prior approval from the owners' meeting by a three-fifths majority. Check the community statutes too: they may prohibit it.
• That the home has an occupancy licence (or equivalent) and meets habitability standards.

2. Prepare the home: the basic requirements

Andalusian regulations require, among other things:

• Air conditioning and heating in bedrooms and the living room.
• Direct ventilation to the outside and good habitability conditions.
• Enough furniture, kitchenware and bed linen for the number of guests.
• A first-aid kit, local tourist information and a contact phone number available to guests.
• Official complaint forms available to guests.

This isn't an exhaustive list: maximum capacity, minimum room sizes and other details depend on the type of home, so it's worth reviewing yours before registering.

3. Registration with the Andalusian Tourism Register

You register by submitting a sworn declaration (declaración responsable) to the Junta de Andalucía. Once submitted, you receive a number in this format:

VFT/MA/00000 (MA = Málaga province)

That number is your licence and must appear in every listing for the property, on Airbnb, Booking or your own website.

4. National short-term rental registration number

Since 1 July 2025 there is also a national single register for short-term rentals. It's handled through the Land Registry and generates a number that must also appear in your listings. Platforms are required to remove listings that don't show it.

Each year you also need to file an informative return with the rentals carried out.

5. SES Hospedajes: guest registration

Since December 2024, all tourist accommodation must report guest and booking details to the Ministry of the Interior through SES Hospedajes. It's mandatory for every stay and the deadlines are short, so ideally it should be automated.

6. Tax and invoicing

Income from tourist lets is taxed through your income tax return (or non-resident income tax if you don't live in Spain). Depending on the services offered, VAT may also apply. We recommend reviewing this with your tax adviser from the outset.

Quick summary

Step	What it is	Where
1	Check town hall and community	Town hall and owners' meeting
2	Prepare the home	Andalusian regulations
3	VFT number	Andalusian Tourism Register
4	National registration number	Land Registry
5	Guest registration	SES Hospedajes (Ministry of the Interior)

Can we help?

At ERA Holiday Rentals we handle the whole process: we check whether your home can be a tourist let, prepare it, obtain the VFT and national registration numbers and automate guest registration. Then, if you wish, we manage it for you with full transparency through your owner portal.

Get your free estimate or discover our holiday rental management in Marbella.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional advice. Regulations change frequently, so always check your specific case.