How luxury villa rental booking works in Spain

Short holiday rentals in Spain are regulated by each region, and a villa may only be rented to tourists if it is registered with the regional tourism authority. The registration number must appear in all advertising: in Andalusia it is the VUT code of the Andalusian Tourism Register, in the Balearic Islands the ETV number, in Catalonia the NIRTC number.

The licence also sets the maximum number of guests: in Andalusia a whole house may host up to 15 guests; in Catalonia up to 15 and never more than the habitability certificate allows; in the Balearic Islands the habitability certificate sets the limit. Exceeding the licensed occupancy is not allowed and can lead to eviction without a refund.

Several cities, including Palma, Málaga and Alicante, have stopped or suspended new tourist-rental registrations in some or all areas, and Barcelona plans not to renew its tourist-flat licences when they expire in 2028. Villas with a valid licence can continue to be rented.

Tourist-rental rules cover short stays: up to 10 days in the Valencian Community (Alicante), 30 nights in the Balearic Islands, 31 days in Catalonia and two months in Andalusia. A longer stay becomes a seasonal lease under Spain's tenancy law, with its own contract and a cash deposit of two months' rent.

Most luxury villa agencies take a deposit of 25% to 50% of the rent when you book, and the balance several weeks before arrival, most often 30 to 60 days, sometimes up to 90. If you book close to the arrival date, the full amount is usually paid at once.

If the balance is not paid on time, the booking can be cancelled and the deposit kept, so the due date in your agreement matters.

In Spain, payments of €1,000 or more may not be made in cash when a business is involved. With Nero Line you can pay by card (except American Express), bank transfer or crypto. Cash is not accepted.

A refundable security deposit is required and varies by property. It is held against damages and returned after the checkout inspection.

Owners set the amount mainly by the value of the house and its contents; for luxury villas it typically ranges from about €1,000 to €10,000 or more. It is held either as a pre-authorisation on a credit card, which blocks the amount without charging it, or paid by transfer with the balance. It is usually returned within days to a few weeks after check-out.

Any deduction should be supported by quotes or invoices. A short inventory at check-in protects you as much as the owner.

Under Royal Decree 933/2021, applied through the Interior Ministry's SES.HOSPEDAJES system since December 2024, every business that provides or arranges accommodation must send guest details within 24 hours of the booking (or its cancellation) and of the start of the stay.

Every guest is registered with their name, ID or passport number, nationality, date of birth and address; guests over 14 sign the record, and an adult provides the details of children under 14. Card numbers are not required. In Catalonia, guest details are also sent to the Mossos d'Esquadra.

This is why we ask for passport or ID details for every guest before arrival.

Tourist taxes depend on the region and are usually shown on top of the rent (rates as of October 2026):

Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca): the sustainable tourism tax is €2 per person per night in holiday homes, plus 10% VAT, reduced by 75% from November to April and by 50% from the ninth night. Guests under 16 are exempt.

Catalonia: in Barcelona city a tourist home pays €4.50 per person per night plus a €5 city surcharge, €9.50 in total, for up to seven nights; elsewhere in Catalonia €1.75 (€2.50 from April 2027), plus a municipal surcharge where a town has adopted one. Guests aged 16 and under are exempt.

Andalusia (Marbella, Málaga), Madrid and the Valencian Community (Alicante): no tourist tax.

A holiday rental without hotel-type services is exempt from VAT in Spain. When the rental includes hotel-type services from the lessor, such as cleaning or a change of linen during the stay or a reception service, it is taxed at 10% VAT like a hotel.

Villa cancellation terms usually work on a sliding scale or are non-refundable once paid: the deposit is often kept if you cancel, and if you cancel within the last one to three months before arrival you usually owe the full amount. The exact terms are set per villa and written into your agreement.

Spanish consumer law gives no 14-day cooling-off period for accommodation booked for specific dates, so the agreed terms apply from the moment you book. Travel and cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Villa stays include full concierge service, housekeeping, and welcome provisions; many properties also include pool and garden staff. Exact inclusions vary per villa — see each listing or ask your concierge for details.

Common extras are a heated pool, a private chef, additional cleaning on request and late check-out. Some villas cap the electricity included in the price.

Parties and events need the owner's written permission. In the Balearic Islands the law requires the contract to expressly prohibit parties or events that breach the basic rules of coexistence. Quiet hours, a smoking ban indoors and rules on pets are set by each villa.

Report any problem during your stay straight away, so it can be fixed while you are there.

Check-in is typically mid-afternoon and check-out mid-morning, varying by property. We coordinate exact times with you in advance and can often accommodate flexible arrangements on request.

Most villas have a minimum stay of 3–7 nights depending on the property and season, with longer minimums during peak summer weeks. In July and August many villas change over on a fixed day, often Saturday.

The most sought-after villas for July and August can be booked a year or more ahead. Three to six months ahead still leaves a good choice.