Editorial transparency and use of artificial intelligence
This article forms part of the CostaLuz Lawyers blog and is published for general informational and educational purposes only. It was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and, before publication, was substantively reviewed and editorially approved by Maria de Castro, a Spanish-qualified lawyer registered with the Cádiz Bar Association under number 2745, founder of CostaLuz Lawyers and the person responsible for the editorial review of the published content.
This article does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, employment, estate-planning or investment advice and does not replace an individual assessment and the professional work of the appropriate CostaLuz Lawyers specialist. No action or omission should be based solely on this information.
Buying a holiday rental property in Spain — especially in the Valencian Community — is no longer straightforward. With moratoriums, stricter regulations, and constant changes in 2025, investors must be careful to avoid buying a property that cannot be legally rented.
Recently, we helped a British client who wanted to invest on the Costa Blanca. Thanks to our advice, they avoided the risks of Jávea (where new tourist licenses are suspended) and purchased safely in Altea (Alicante), where tourist rentals are still possible in certain areas.
Why Tourist Rental Licenses Matter in Spain
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In 2025, regional and municipal rules in the Valencian Community mean that:
- Many towns have introduced moratoriums (temporary bans) on new tourist licenses.
- Thousands of homes have been removed from the official tourist register for not meeting requirements.
- Even within the same town, some neighborhoods allow new licenses while others are fully restricted.
For buyers, this creates confusion: two identical apartments, just a few streets apart, can have completely different legal status for tourist rentals.
The Problem: Jávea’s Full Moratorium
Our client first looked at Jávea (Xàbia), one of Alicante’s most famous coastal towns. But Jávea has a full moratorium on new tourist rental licenses. This means:
- No new licenses can be issued.
- Even registered properties are under extra scrutiny.
Buying there would have left our client with a second home — but without the ability to generate tourist rental income legally.
The Solution: Altea’s Partial Moratorium
We advised our client to consider Altea, a beautiful coastal town also in Alicante province.
Altea has introduced a partial moratorium instead of a full ban:
- In “high-pressure” areas (such as the old town and certain beach districts), no new licenses are allowed.
- In medium-risk zones, only a small percentage of homes can be used for tourism (4%–8%).
- In low-risk areas, new tourist rental licenses can still be granted if requirements are met.
This approach makes Altea one of the few towns in the Valencian Community in 2025 where carefully selected properties can still be legally rented to tourists.
Our Legal Work
To protect our client, we conducted a full due diligence process:
- Zoning analysis – Confirming the property was in a low-vulnerability zone where new licenses are allowed.
- License verification – Ensuring the tourist license was valid and renewable.
- Community of owners check – Making sure there was no internal ban on tourist rentals.
- Purchase contract safeguards – Adding clauses to protect against regulatory changes.
The Result
Our client purchased a charming apartment in Altea, Alicante, fully compliant with 2025 regulations. Today, it is both a holiday home and a safe, income-generating tourist rental property in Spain.
Key Takeaways for Buyers in 2025
- Always check whether a moratorium applies in your chosen town.
- Verify if the property has a valid tourist rental license.
- Review the rules of the community of owners.
- Remember that Spain’s regulations change quickly — get legal advice before you sign.
At our firm, we don’t just check paperwork — we help you choose the right location in Spain where tourist rental investments remain safe and profitable in 2025.
Free Initial Written Orientation
To help you start, we offer a free written orientation based on 5 key questions:
- Which town or area in Spain are you considering?
- Is your priority lifestyle, investment return, or both?
- Do you already have a specific property in mind?
- Will you manage rentals yourself or through an agency?
- What rental model do you expect — seasonal, year-round, or occasional?
Answer these, and we’ll provide you with a tailored first assessment to see if your plan is viable under current Spanish law.
Contact Us
If you’re considering buying a property in Spain for tourist rental purposes, contact us today for clear, professional guidance before you invest.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax or legal advice. Each case must be assessed individually according to the client’s specific circumstances. It is essential to consult a qualified specialist before taking any action or making any decision.
Legal Notice: The content on this page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No action should be taken based solely on this content without first seeking independent professional legal counsel. Each case requires individual assessment based on its specific circumstances. CostaLuz Lawyers accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
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Reviewed by María Luisa de Castro, CEO at CostaLuz Lawyers — Updated 2026
This is general information, not definitive legal advice — every case requires individual analysis.