According to Fevitur, the Spanish holiday rental association, more than 70% of existing properties have not yet been successfully registered in the new system. The state-managed platform proves to be technically inadequate, with serious consequences for Spain’s entire tourism industry. Many already registered properties are not being recognized, and new applications remain unprocessed.
Tourists Already Feeling the Impact: Cancellations and Scarcity
The first signs of this digital disaster are already evident. A growing number of tourists report unexpected cancellations from their hosts or find that legal holiday rentals are scarce in popular regions like Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. The reason is the new state-mandated short-term rental register, which becomes compulsory from July 1, 2025 – even if the properties are already registered with their respective autonomous regions.
Regulatory Ambition Meets Technical Chaos
The Spanish government’s aim with the register is to control the short-term rental market, combat tax evasion, and curb illegal offerings. However, critics argue that the system was rushed into implementation without adequate technical preparation. The result is digital chaos, where even legally operated properties cannot obtain official approval because the platform fails to recognize existing regional permits or leaves applications unprocessed. This undermines confidence in government regulation.
Impending Economic Damage: Billions in Losses for Spain
Fevitur urgently warns of massive economic damage. Estimates suggest that between July and December 2025, up to 13.737 billion euros in tourism revenue could be lost if the current situation persists. This would be a severe blow to the Spanish economy, which heavily relies on tourism. Simultaneously, the association fears a dangerous development: many landlords might feel compelled to continue offering their properties outside the official system. This would represent an undesirable step backward, fostering the growth of the black market and illegal rentals.
Spain Faces Tourism Chaos in Summer 2025
For millions of European holidaymakers, Spain is the number one summer destination. However, the holiday rental market in Spain is now at risk of being severely disrupted in the summer of 2025. Fevitur is therefore urgently demanding an immediate moratorium, better coordination with the regions, and a comprehensive technical overhaul of the system. Only in this way can the trust of tourists and landlords be regained and tourist chaos in the high season be prevented.
