If you want to get an Airbnb license in Barcelona, there is something you should know from the very beginning: In 2026 there is no general open route to obtain a new HUT license in the city. However, that does not necessarily mean that your property cannot generate profitability: there are other legal options, such as renting for a medium-term period, buying a property that already has a tourist license, or investing in municipalities where there may still be room to develop this type of activity.
Before making a decision, the important thing is to know what possibilities does your property or your investment project actually have?.
What exactly is the so-called “Airbnb license”?
When “Airbnb license” is mentioned, a colloquial expression is used. Airbnb does not grant any tourist licenseIt is simply a platform on which accommodations are marketed.
The authorization to use a home for tourist purposes depends on the regional and municipal regulations of the place where the property is located.
In Catalonia, a tourist accommodation unit (HUT) is, in general terms, one that is leased in its entirety to third parties in exchange for a price during the year. Stays of 31 days or less.
Therefore, before thinking about publishing the flat, it is necessary to check what use the property is legally allowed for.
Can a new Airbnb license be obtained in Barcelona in 2026?
Currently, there is no standard procedure in Barcelona through which a property owner can apply for a new HUT license simply by fulfilling a series of requirements.
Barcelona has been limiting the development of new tourist housing for years through its urban planning, especially through the PEUAT.
In addition, Decree-Law 3/2023 of Catalonia introduced a regime of Prior urban planning license for tourist housing in certain municipalities, including Barcelona.
This means having a suitable floor, meeting certain technical conditions, or being willing to pay the corresponding fees. It does not imply that a new tourist license can be obtained.
Therefore, if you currently have an unlicensed flat in Barcelona, it is more useful to study the legal alternatives available to you: building an investment project based on the expectation of obtaining a new HUT.
So, what can I do if my apartment in Barcelona doesn't have a tourist license?
Not having a HUT does not necessarily mean that you have to leave the home empty or resort exclusively to conventional residential rental.
Depending on the property, its location, and the type of demand you want to target, different alternatives can be considered.
1. Half-stay rental
For certain owners, one of the main alternatives to tourist rental is half-stay or seasonal rental.
It can be particularly interesting for homes intended for displaced professionals, postgraduate students, international workers, researchers or people who need to temporarily reside in Barcelona for a specific reason.
Now, however, A season contract does not serve to artificially convert a tourist rental into another type of lease.. The duration, the reason for the stay, and the actual way in which the property is exploited must be consistent with this modality.
At BCN Flat Management, we can study the characteristics of the property and assess which rental model best fits within the applicable legal framework.
Don't you have a tourist license? We tell you what legal options you can consider for your home.
2. Buying a property that already has a tourist license
If the goal is to invest specifically in vacation rentals, another possibility is acquire a home that already has a valid tourist license.
It is a very different situation to buying a flat without a license, waiting to obtain it later.
Before making any investment of this type, it is essential to check:
- that the license actually corresponds to the property;
- its ownership and validity;
- the corresponding tourist registration;
- the urban planning situation of the housing;
- the possible limitations of the condominium community;
- the actual income generated by the accommodation;
- and the existing regulatory landscape in Barcelona.
The existence of an active listing on Airbnb It does not in itself demonstrate that the property has all its documentation properly regularized.
Furthermore, an investment of this type must be analyzed taking into account the current regulations and the 2028 horizon. The Barcelona City Council has expressed its intention not to renew the existing HUTs when the current transitional regime ends.
That doesn't mean it's wise to present the post-2028 scenario as completely closed today: The future viability will depend on the regulations and planning that are applicable at any given time..
Therefore, when buying a property with a tourist license, it is advisable to separately assess the price of the property, the foreseeable income, and the regulatory risk.
3. Look for opportunities outside of Barcelona
Barcelona does not represent the situation of all municipalities.
Tourism regulation changes considerably from one locality to another and there are areas where there may be other possibilities for developing projects related to tourist accommodation, always after checking the relevant urban and tourism regulations.
This can open up opportunities for investors interested in:
- tourist apartments outside Barcelona;
- holiday homes in tourist municipalities;
- second residences legally intended for rental;
- houses and villas in coastal areas or holiday destinations.
It should not be assumed that every municipality allows for new licenses. Before purchasing a property, you must do your research. the specific regulation of that locality and that direction.
For an investor, conducting this check before purchasing can be much more important than initially calculating occupancy or the price per night.
How is a tourist license obtained where it is still possible?
The procedure varies between autonomous communities and municipalities, so There is no single procedure valid throughout Spain.
In general, before renting out a property as a tourist accommodation, it is necessary to check:
- autonomous and municipal regulations;
- the urbanistic compatibility of the property;
- the restrictions that may exist in the community of owners;
- the conditions of habitability, safety and capacity;
- the need to obtain a prior urban planning license;
- the corresponding tourist communication or authorization;
- and registration in the applicable registers.
Meeting the physical requirements of a home This does not automatically mean that tourist use is allowed in that location..
If you want to consult the requirements in more detail, you can see our guide on the requirements for a tourist residence in Barcelona.
What happens if my property in Barcelona already has a tourist license?
For those who already have a valid HUT, the situation is completely different.
In that case, the priority is not getting a new license but checking that the documentation is maintained correctly and maximizing the performance of the accommodation while it can be exploited legally.
The license allows the activity to be carried out within its legal framework, but by itself it does not guarantee good profitability.
The results also depend on factors such as:
- the pricing strategy;
- the occupation;
- distribution on Airbnb, Booking and other channels;
- the guest reviews;
- cleaning and maintenance;
- attention to the traveler;
- and the continuous optimization of the accommodation.
At BCN Flat Management we manage this operation through our service Airbnb management in Barcelona, Coordinating bookings, prices, guests, cleaning, maintenance and incidents.
Do you already have a HUT license? We help you optimize the profitability of your accommodation as long as the license and regulations allow its operation.
Can I buy an apartment that already has a tourist license?
Yes, there are properties that already have a tourist license, but The license must be reviewed as part of the due diligence of the operation.
There should be no overpricing simply because a real estate ad states “tourist apartment” or “licensed.”.
Before buying, it is advisable to review the administrative documentation, the correspondence between the license and the property, the community of owners, and the applicable urban planning framework.
The investment must also be calculated taking into account that A tourist license should not be considered as guaranteeing an indefinite exploitation..
Is a community permit required to list a property on Airbnb?
The homeowners' association can also condition the start of new tourist accommodation activities.
From April 2025, it is particularly relevant to verify the approval required by the Horizontal Property Act when starting this activity, in addition to reviewing the statutes and agreements previously adopted by the community.
In general, the agreement planned for new activities requires a majority of three-fifths of the total number of owners, which in turn represents three-fifths of the share capital.
Homes that have already legally developed the activity may be in different situations, so each case must be studied individually.
Can you rent an Airbnb without a tourist license?
Airbnb can be used to market different types of stays, but Using the platform does not automatically convert any rental into a tourist one, nor does it allow the development of a tourist activity without the necessary authorization..
The key lies in the actual nature of the lease: duration, reason for the stay, services offered and form of exploitation.
That is why we have developed this issue specifically in our guide on if it is possible to rent an apartment on Airbnb without a tourist license.
If your property does not have a HUT, it is advisable to first study which modalities are legally feasible rather than trying to artificially adapt a tourist rental to another figure.
Frequently asked questions about how to get an Airbnb license
Does Airbnb handle the tourist license?
No. Airbnb is a platform for intermediation. Licences and authorisations depend on the competent administrations..
The fact that Airbnb allows certain data to be entered or that it publishes an advertisement does not replace the corresponding administrative authorizations.
How much does it cost to get an Airbnb license?
There is no single price.
The rates, reports, procedures and possible adjustments depend on each municipality and the property.
Furthermore, in Barcelona the main problem currently is not how much the license costs, but rather There is no general open path to obtain a new HUT.
Can I start renting while I am applying for the license?
It should not be taken for granted.
When activity requires prior authorization or approval, starting to accept reservations before having it available can lead to administrative problems and penalties.
The specific procedure applicable to the municipality must be checked before starting the activity.
Does a tourist license increase the value of an apartment in Barcelona?
It can increase its economic appeal while allowing the development of a profitable activity legally, but it should not be valued as an eternal right.
In Barcelona it is especially important to consider the validity of the authorization, the revenues it can generate, and the regulatory risk associated with the post-2028 scenario.
What can I do if I want to invest in tourist rentals but I can't find any licenses in Barcelona?
There are two paths worth studying: search for properties that already have a valid permit or expand the search to other municipalities and tourist areas.
In both cases, the urban and administrative review should be carried out before buying the property.
Before seeking an Airbnb license, study which option is viable.
The question “how to get an Airbnb license” does not have the same answer for all owners.
If your property is located in Barcelona and does not have a tourist license, you should not currently base your project on the expectation of obtaining a new HUT. That doesn't mean that the property can't have other possibilities.
An unlicensed flat can, depending on its characteristics and the specific legal situation, fit into a medium-term rental model. An investor who wants to focus on vacation rentals can consider buying properties that are already properly equipped. And those with geographic flexibility can explore opportunities in other municipalities, houses, or villas where the regulations are different.
If you already have a HUT, the goal is another: manage accommodation properly and harness its economic potential while its exploitation remains legally possible.
We help you optimize the profitability of your apartment and tell you what legal alternatives you can consider for your home or investment.
