Madrid Strengthens Control Over Tourist Rental Properties
Madrid, April 2, 2026 – The Community of Madrid has announced new, more stringent requirements for tourist rental properties, modifying the decree that regulates apartments and tourist-use homes (VUTs) in the region. The updated legislation, approved by the autonomous government, seeks to ensure the quality of tourist offerings and protect user rights, prohibiting tourist flats in public housing or buildings where residents’ associations object.
Key Changes in the New Regulations
Among the significant novelties, the new decree introduces minimum size requirements for each room and establishes a maximum occupancy. Furthermore, it specifies the basic content that these properties must provide, including bed linen, bathroom and table linen, as well as crockery, cutlery, glassware, and kitchen utensils. This aims to improve the comfort of accommodations, which will now require a certificate of suitability.
The regulation also clarifies that it is the responsibility of the city councils, through their urban planning and ordinances, to set limitations on the maximum number of tourist-use homes per building, area, or zone. Crucially, the declaration of responsibility for operating a tourist accommodation activity must now be submitted by the activity’s titleholders, not the property owners.
Increased Control and Significant Deregistrations
This regulatory modification is part of a broader plan to reinforce control over tourist rental properties in the region, initiated in the second half of 2024. This increased oversight has led to a notable reduction in the number of registered tourist homes.
- In 2024, 1,153 properties were deregistered.
- In 2025, this number surged to 3,053 deregistered properties, representing a 164.8% increase.
- In the first two months of 2026 alone, an additional 341 tourist homes have been deregistered.
Inspection activities have also intensified. In 2024, 481 inspections were carried out, followed by 588 in 2025, marking a 22.3% increase. The effectiveness of these inspections is evident in the high percentage of sanctions imposed: 90% in 2024 and 85.71% in 2025. The Community of Madrid has imposed approximately half a million euros in sanctions related to tourist properties over the past two years, thanks to the inspection work of the Directorate-General for Tourism and Hospitality.
Current Landscape of Tourist Properties in Madrid
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), there are currently 15,309 tourist-use homes in the Community of Madrid, offering 50,675 accommodation places. This figure represents a 17.5% reduction since the last measurements in May and November 2025. The INE also indicates that tourist-use homes in the region constitute only 0.52% of the total housing stock, positioning Madrid as the tourist autonomous community with the lowest proportion of such properties.
The Community of Madrid continues to adapt its tourism model, balancing the needs of visitors with the quality of life for its residents. These new regulations underscore the regional government’s commitment to a more regulated and sustainable tourism sector.
Source: hosteltur.com
