Short-term rental rules in the Canary Islands are changing rapidly. Those who don't comply risk heavy fines and — in the worst cases — forced closure of their activity. In this article we bring you up to date on everything you need to know in 2026.
⚠️ Legal note: this article is for informational purposes. Regulations change frequently — for specific decisions we recommend consulting a legal professional or contacting us for real-time updates.
The regulatory framework
Short-term rental rules in the Canary Islands are based on a combination of regional and national regulations:
Decree 113/2015 of the Gobierno de Canarias
The fundamental regulation that introduced the Vivienda Vacacional (VV) licence in the Canary Islands. It sets minimum property requirements, owner obligations and registration procedures.
Ley 7/1995 de Ordenación del Turismo de Canarias
The Canarian tourism framework law. Defines categories of tourist accommodation, penalties for infringements and the inspection powers of local authorities.
Real Decreto-Ley 7/2019 (national Spanish legislation)
Reformed the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), extending the minimum duration of residential contracts to 5 years. Does not apply to VV properties, but defines the boundary between short-term and residential rental.
EU Digital Services Act (2024)
Since 2024, platforms such as Airbnb and Booking are required to share owner data with European tax authorities. There are no longer any grey areas.
Key changes in 2025–2026
The Canarian market has experienced strong tourism pressure in recent years, with public protests against mass tourism. The result is a gradual tightening of regulations:
1. Mandatory VV number on all listings
Since 2024, all listings on Airbnb, Booking, VRBO and any OTA must show the VV registration number. Platforms are required to report listings without this number to authorities. Anyone publishing without a VV is immediately flagged.
2. Growing zonal restrictions
Some municipalities are introducing exclusion zones where new VV permits are not granted, or maximum quotas per zone are being introduced. In Fuerteventura, restrictions are currently more limited than in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but the trend is clear.
What this means for you: obtaining a VV licence today is easier than it will be in 2 years. Those who already have a licence have an enormous competitive advantage over those who wait.
3. Mandatory tax declaration in Spain
All foreign owners of properties in Spain who rent them out must declare rental income to the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) via Modelo 210 (for non-residents). The rate for EU residents is 19%, for non-EU 24%.
4. Controls on Airbnb and Booking
Under the EU Digital Services Act, Airbnb and Booking are required to share with the tax authorities of each country the data of all owners who exceed minimum earnings thresholds. There is no longer any way to operate off the books.
Penalties for infringements
Ley 7/1995 provides a tiered penalty system based on severity:
In addition to the financial penalty, for serious and very serious infringements forced closure of the property and a ban on applying for new licences for 1–3 years may be imposed.
The specific situation in Fuerteventura in 2026
Compared to other islands in the archipelago (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria), Fuerteventura is currently less restrictive in terms of new VV licences. The main reasons are economic: the island is more dependent on tourism and has less housing pressure than more densely populated islands.
However, the trends are clear:
- Inspections are intensifying
- Some areas of Corralejo are discussing the introduction of quotas
- Political pressure to limit mass tourism is making itself felt here too
The window to obtain a VV licence in Fuerteventura is still open, but it is narrowing. Those who act now have an enormous advantage.
How to comply: the 2026 checklist
- ✓ Obtain (or renew) the VV licence before publishing any listing
- ✓ Include the VV number on all your Airbnb, Booking, VRBO listings
- ✓ Display the VV sign in the property
- ✓ Take out the mandatory public liability insurance
- ✓ Register rental income in Spain (Modelo 210)
- ✓ Handle double taxation with your home country correctly
- ✓ Monitor regulatory updates — rules change often
The advantage of having a local partner
Short-term rental regulations in the Canary Islands are complex, constantly evolving and span regional, national and European law. Managing this remotely, in Spanish, without knowing local specificities is very difficult.
RockOcean Group handles all regulatory aspects for owners who entrust us with their management: from the VV licence to regulatory updates, from tax declarations to compliance with new zonal restrictions.
Message us on WhatsApp to understand the specific situation of your property and what is needed to be compliant in 2026.