Holiday-Rental Licences Now Transfer When You Sell — What It Means for Costa del Sol Owners

   

Good news for homeowners and investors across the Costa del Sol:  from now on, your holiday-rental licence stays with the property when you sell it.

After years of debate, recent rulings and updates to Spain’s property and tourism rules have clarified that the Andalusian “Vivienda con Fines Turísticos” (VFT) registration belongs to the home itself — not just to the person who applied for it.

That means if your apartment or villa is already registered for short-term holiday use, the new owner can keep renting it out without starting from scratch. They only need to notify the Junta de Andalucía of the change of ownership.

Why it matters

This change removes one of the biggest uncertainties for buyers and sellers of holiday-let homes.

Until recently, many owners worried they’d lose their licence when they sold, or that a long processing delay could freeze their rental income. Now, the rules make it clear: the licence runs with the home, provided it still meets the safety, comfort and planning requirements.

For investors, this offers stability and resale value. A property with an active licence and solid rental record is now easier to market and transfer — without interruptions to bookings.

What to watch for

There are still a few things to keep in mind:

  • Communities of owners can vote to limit new tourist rentals (since April 2025), but they can’t cancel licences that were already legal and registered before the vote.

  • Local zoning rules still apply — for example, Málaga city has restricted new licences in some central districts.

  • The new owner must still meet the same standards: safety equipment, guest registration, complaint book, and so on.

What buyers should do

If you’re buying a property that’s already licensed for short-term rentals:

  1. Ask for the VFT registration number and check it on the Junta de Andalucía website.

  2. Make sure the property is still compliant and that the community hasn’t recently voted to ban new licences.

  3. Once the sale completes, file the ownership-change notice to keep everything up to date.

What sellers should know

If your home is already earning income through Airbnb or Booking.com, your licence now adds tangible value to the sale. Buyers increasingly look for properties where the paperwork and permissions are already in place — and this new clarity gives them confidence to pay a fair premium for it.

The bottom line

The Costa del Sol’s holiday-rental market just became a little clearer — and a little safer for investors.
Your VFT registration now behaves like a feature of the property itself, not a fragile permit that disappears on sale. For owners, that means peace of mind; for buyers, it’s one less hurdle to profitable ownership.

📩 Want help confirming if your home’s licence is transferable or active?

Darren & Angelina — your Personal Property Concierge — can connect you with trusted local advisors to review your property’s registration and rental potential. Get in touch →