Regarding the tourist license, it's important to note that as of August 2024, new regulations in Altea and the Valencian Community stipulate that licenses are now tied to the property owner rather than the property itself. This means that upon sale, the new owner must apply for a new tourist license. In other words, when the property is sold, the new owner can no longer inherit the license.
Some additional points of note under the new law:
The tourist license is now valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed.
New applications after August 2024 require approval from the Homeowners Association, which can reject tourist rentals.
Changes such as renovation, new ownership, or other property modifications will require a new application.
This new regulatory framework emphasizes stricter control and oversight over tourist rentals, aiming to increase quality and ensure compliance with safety standards. If the seller had a tourist license that wasn’t renewed, a new application would need to be filed by the buyer.
Currently Altea has suspended the issuance of new tourist licenses. This suspension began in July 2024 and is expected to last for one year. The pause is made to create a more balanced approach to tourism in the area.
Take into account that a tourist license is required for a rental activity aimed at tourists, regardless of the duration of the stay. If the rental is made to cover the need for housing for a specific period of time (examples: holiday season, work season, teaching season, ski season (referred to as "Alquiler de Temporada"), then a tourist license is not required, even if the rental is short-term.
Given the current situation with tourist licenses, we are pleased to offer our agency´s rental services, which focus on seasonal leases rather than tourist rentals. This approach provides a flexible and practical solution for temporary housing needs, allowing the owners to secure accommodation without the complexities of obtaining a tourist license.
