According to the latest figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), the number of tourist homes in the country has dropped by 7.2% in just three months. In November 2024, Spain registered 368,295 tourist homes, a loss of 28,588 compared to August of the same year.
This marks the first decline since early 2023. However, the total remains the second-highest figure in history. The drop in the number of properties also affects capacity: 1,857,710 beds were registered. This amount is 6.9% lower than in August. Although, compared to February 2024, there was an increase of 4.8%, meaning that a total of 16,906 additional beds are available.
Popular regions
Alicante and Málaga remain the provinces with the most tourist homes. In November, Alicante had 41,179 properties, and Málaga had 41,039. Other key areas include Las Palmas (27,217), the Balearic Islands (24,190), and Tenerife (24,069). On the other side of the spectrum, provinces such as Palencia (234) and Álava (389) recorded minimal numbers of tourist homes.
New tax measures
While the number of tourist homes is decreasing, the government is calling for stricter tax measures. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed increasing the VAT rate on tourist homes to 21%. These would replace the current rates, which range from 0% to 10%. This measure is intended to curb the growth of tourist homes and promote the availability of affordable housing.
Nevertheless, the change still depends on ongoing negotiations at the European level, with particular attention being paid to the impact on rural areas. The adjustment would primarily target regions facing tourist overcrowding and housing shortages.
Why this decline in tourist homes?
According to experts several factors may explain this decline. Local regulations have played a significant role. Many cities and municipalities have introduced stricter rules for tourist homes in an effort to manage overcrowding and protect the local housing market. Additionally, there has been social backlash from local residents. They are increasingly opposed to the rise in tourist rentals, citing issues such as overcrowding and rising property prices. On top of this, the economic recovery and the surge in property prices have prompted some owners to take their properties off the tourist rental market. They opt to rent them long-term or sell them instead.