Legal guide · Catalonia
Tourist Licence in Catalonia: Complete Guide for Property Owners
Everything you need to know about the Habilitació de Vivenda d'Ús Turístic (HUT) in Catalonia: requirements, process, costs and town-by-town details for the Garraf.
What is a tourist licence in Catalonia?
In Catalonia, the authorisation to rent a property to tourists is called the Habilitació de Vivenda d'Ús Turístic (HUT) or tourist enabling title. Without this authorisation, renting to tourists is illegal and can result in fines of up to €60,000.
The HUT is obtained by registering with the Catalan Tourism Registry (Registre de Turisme de Catalunya, RTC), which issues a registration number (NIRTC) that must appear on all property listings on platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com.
The process and requirements vary by town. In the Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Cubelles and Sant Pere de Ribes have a relatively straightforward process. Sitges has additional restrictions due to tourism pressure.
Renting without a HUT licence in Catalonia can result in fines of up to €60,000. Before listing your property on Airbnb or Booking, make sure you have the NIRTC number.
Requirements
Requirements to obtain the HUT
Valid certificate of habitability (cédula de habitabilidad)
The property must have a valid certificate of habitability. If it has expired, it must be renewed before applying for the HUT. This certificate confirms the property meets minimum habitability standards.
Public liability insurance
Mandatory public liability insurance covering damage caused by guests or suffered by guests during their stay.
Fully furnished and equipped property
The property must be ready for immediate occupation: complete furniture, appliances, bed linen, kitchen utensils and adequate ventilation or air conditioning.
24-hour contact phone number
A phone number must be available 24 hours a day to deal with guest incidents. This can be the owner's or the management company's number.
Official complaints forms
The property must have official complaints forms available for guests.
Owner documentation
Spanish ID (DNI), NIE (foreigner's ID number) or passport of the owner or operator. If a company, company documentation.
Process
Step-by-step application process
Check local regulations
Before starting any application, check with your town hall whether new tourist licences are available. Some Garraf towns have restrictions or moratoriums.
Urban planning licence (if required)
In towns affected by Decree-law 3/2023, you must first obtain a municipal urban planning licence that assesses whether tourist use is compatible with local planning. Valid for 5 years.
Prepare documentation
Gather: certificate of habitability, public liability insurance, owner's ID/NIE, and proof of property ownership or right of use (title deed or contract).
Submit the responsible declaration
Submit the responsible declaration (declaración responsable) to the Catalan Government, either in person at a tourism office or online via tramits.gencat.cat.
Registration in the Catalan Tourism Registry
Once documentation is submitted, the property is automatically registered in the RTC and you receive the NIRTC number. You can then start operating.
Display the NIRTC number on all listings
The registration number must appear on all property listings on holiday rental platforms. Airbnb and Booking.com require it to publish in Catalonia.
Costs & timescales
Costs and timescales
The Garraf
Town-by-town situation in the Garraf
Vilanova i la Geltrú
FavourableRelatively straightforward process. No active moratorium. The HUT can be processed with the standard responsible declaration. We recommend checking with the town hall before starting.
Cubelles
FavourableNo special restrictions. Standard responsible declaration process. Good conditions for new licences.
Sant Pere de Ribes
FavourableStandard process. The municipality includes high-demand areas (Las Botigues de Sitges). Check with the town hall for specific zones.
Sitges
RestrictionsSignificant restrictions due to high tourism pressure. Some areas have a moratorium. The process can be more complex and slow. Essential to check with the town hall before starting.
Obligations
Obligations once you have the HUT
Register all guests with the Mossos d'Esquadra (traveller registration / parte de viajero) for every booking
Collect and pay the Catalan tourist tax (€1.75 per person per night for guests over 17, first 7 nights; paid to the Catalan Tax Agency in October (for stays from April to September) and in April (for stays from October to March)
Declare income to the Spanish tax authority (IRPF or Corporation Tax)
Keep public liability insurance current
Display the NIRTC number on all listings
Keep the certificate of habitability current
Have official complaints forms available
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Need help with the process?
Managing the HUT application can be complex, especially in towns with restrictions. We advise the property owners we manage on the process and guide them through the necessary steps.
If you already have the HUT and want us to handle the full management of your property, request a free revenue study. We'll tell you how much your property can generate with professional management.
Get a free revenue studyFAQ
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I rent without a HUT licence?
Fines for unlicensed tourist rental in Catalonia can reach €60,000. The town hall can also order immediate cessation of the activity. Airbnb and Booking.com can also suspend the listing if it doesn't have the NIRTC number.
Does the HUT expire?
A HUT obtained via responsible declaration does not have an expiry date in itself, but it is linked to the certificate of habitability and public liability insurance, both of which have limited validity. In towns affected by Decree-law 3/2023, the prior urban planning licence is valid for 5 years.
Can I rent just a room with the HUT?
No. The HUT in Catalonia applies to the whole property. If you want to rent rooms while living in the property, there is a separate 'shared home' (hogar compartido) category with different regulations.
Can the residents' association block the HUT?
Since Organic Law 1/2025, in properties with a residents' association (comunidad de propietarios), a three-fifths majority vote in favour is required to activate a new HUT. If the association prohibits it by qualified majority, the licence cannot be obtained. However, the ban is not retroactive: if you already hold a HUT licence granted before the prohibition, you can continue operating normally.
What is the Catalan tourist tax?
It is a tax charged to guests per night of stay. The amount is €1.75 per person per night (guests over 17 years old) for the first 7 nights of the stay. The owner or manager is responsible for collecting it and paying it to the Catalan Tax Agency twice a year: in October (for stays from April to September) and in April (for stays from October to March).