Fines for Not Registering a Tourist Apartment in Andalusia
Renting without a licence is no longer a “discreet” option. Avoid penalties that could ruin your property investment in Torremolinos.
The holiday rental market on the Costa del Sol is no longer a “no man’s land”. With the entry into force of Decree 31/2024 of the Junta de Andalucía and the new Housing Law, cracking down on clandestine apartments is a priority for the administration. Many owners believe that renting for just a few months, or only to acquaintances, keeps them safe — but the reality is that the fines for illegal tourist rentals in Andalusia are among the harshest in Spain, and if you don’t know how to register your tourist apartment with the Junta de Andalucía, you are at risk.
It’s not just about missing the VFT licence or failing to meet the VFT/VUT licence requirements in Torremolinos. Nowadays, failing to comply with the mandatory registries — such as ignoring what the NRUA is (required to advertise on platforms since July 2025) — is reason enough to receive a tourism inspection notice that could end with your profits being seized.
The cost of illegality: penalties in the VFT sector
Andalusia’s Tourism Law 13/2011 classifies offences into three levels of severity:
Minor
Up to €2,000
Missing complaint forms or first-aid kit.
Serious
Up to €18,000
Failing to register travellers with the Police.
Very Serious
Up to €150,000
Renting without a VFT licence or NRUA.
Why take the risk? We do it for FREE
At Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional we are your legal shield. We have spent more than 7 years processing registrations and protecting Torremolinos owners from inspections. If you entrust us with the management of your property, we take on the risk and the paperwork.
- Free VFT & NRUA registration: We process your licence with the Junta and your Land Registry registration at no cost.
- Full-service management at 15%: No lock-in contract and maximum transparency.
- 10-minute logistics: If there is an on-site inspection, we are at your property immediately.
Inspection and Sanctioning Powers in Andalusian Tourism
The penalty regime applicable to Tourist Use Homes (VUT) in Andalusia is set out in Law 13/2011, of 23 December, on Tourism. Clandestine activity — defined as providing tourist services without the required Responsible Declaration filed with the Andalusian Tourism Registry (RTA) — leads to proceedings that can result in maximum-level financial penalties. With the implementation of the NRUA in 2025 and data interoperability with the Tax Agency and the Ministry of the Interior (Royal Decree 933/2021), monitoring of the illegal supply is omnichannel. Professional property management agencies act as compliance bodies, ensuring the property meets the habitability standards of Decree 31/2024 and Torremolinos municipal regulations, mitigating the risk of temporary closure of the establishment and the resulting loss of RevPAR for the investor.
Turn legal fear into immediate savings
We don’t just help you avoid fines — we reward you for professionalising your rental with us:
🎁 Welcome Gift: We Pay Your Waste Tax
If we legalise and manage your home, we pay your annual waste collection tax (up to €500).
Automatic Police Registration
Avoid €30,000 police fines. Our Icnea software automatically sends your guests’ data to the Guardia Civil (Hospederías).
Our Own Industrial Laundry
We guarantee you meet hotel-grade hygiene requirements by handling the washing ourselves in Torremolinos.
Permanent Local Assistance
If a Junta inspector knocks on your door, our team arrives within 10 minutes to deal with them in person.
Questions about fines and inspections
Can I be fined if my neighbours report me?
Yes. Neighbour complaints about noise or unregistered tourist activity are the source of most inspections. If you don’t have a VFT licence and your neighbours alert the Junta, a penalty is almost certain and it is treated as a very serious offence.
Is it true that Airbnb shares my data with the Tax Agency and the Junta?
Absolutely. Digital platforms are required to submit form 179 to the Spanish Tax Agency with all host income and identities. In addition, since July 2025, if you don’t provide the NRUA, the platform will block your listing to avoid being penalised itself.
What should I do if I’ve already received an inspection notice?
Contact professionals immediately. At Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional we advise you free of charge to try to mitigate the penalty by urgently bringing the property up to standard and filing the licence online to demonstrate a willingness to comply.
Other legal guides for owners
How to register your home with the Junta
The step before any rental: learn how to get your VFT/VUT licence quickly and legally on the Costa del Sol.
VFT/VUT licence requirements in Torremolinos
Make sure you comply with all the habitability and equipment regulations required by the Junta de Andalucía to avoid closures.
Registering travellers with the Police: is it mandatory?
Know your obligations to the Ministry of the Interior and avoid hefty fines for failing to identify your guests.
Don’t let a fine keep you up at night
Legalise your Torremolinos property today, completely free of charge. Enjoy maximum returns at a 15% commission with the peace of mind of full legal compliance. Message us on WhatsApp.
Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional | C. Campillos, 10, 29620 Torremolinos
