Navarra Holiday Rental Law

The holiday rental industry grows day by day. Holiday rentals are becoming more common and practically all regions in Spain have specific regulations for these types of tourist accommodation.

The Autonomous Community of Navarra launched  Decree 230/2011 on 26th October 2011. This decree regulates the activity and quality standard requirements of tourist apartments and holiday rentals.

Holiday Rental or Tourist Apartment?

This decree defines a Tourist Apartment as a seasonal establishment which offers accommodation and other services such as breakfasts and cleaning, in exchange for economic compensation.

The main aspect which differentiates between Tourist Apartments and Holiday Rentals is that Tourist Apartments refers to one or more properties in a group, whereas Holiday Rentals are individual properties.

Apartments can be individual properties or a group of properties within the same building or apartment complex. In order to be considered as a block of Tourist Apartments, the complex must consist of at least 10 houses.

By contrast, Holiday Rentals are defined as houses, villas, caves or prefabricated buildings that are independent of another main building. 

Each Holiday Rental must have a minimum surface area of 90㎡ and independent access. They should also provide optimal conditions for immediate inhabitancy.

Both Tourist Apartments and Holiday Rentals are classified into four categories: luxury, first, second and third. The rating is represented by a key symbol - four, three, two and one keys respectively, displayed on the signs placed outside the property.

For a Holiday Rental or Tourist Apartment to be considered rural, it must along with other requirements, be located in areas with a population of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.

Tourist accommodation requirements - Categories

Both Tourist Apartments and Holiday Rentals have a set of specific requirements. Among others, there is a minimum size for surface area according to each category.

A common requirement for both Holiday Rentals and Tourist Apartments (and their categories) is the inclusion of such specifications in all documentation and invoicing.

Likewise, all establishments must have a distinctive a sign or plaque located next to the main entrance of the house. The specific characteristics of the plaque can be found in the following document.

Minimum surface area per accommodation category

You can only add a maximum of two extra beds per stay. For each extra bed added, there must be an extra 4 ㎡ of space in the living room of the property - regardless of the location of the extra beds.

Bedrooms

The bedrooms must be equipped with the minimum amount of beds according to the number of guests staying in the property. In addition, they should also include a bedside table, a wardrobe, a chair or armchair and two sets of bed linen and towels.

Living Room

The dining room should have at least one table which is big enough to accommodate the minimum number of guests staying in the property. In the event that the property has a combined kitchen and living room, a minimum of 4㎡ must be added to the total property surface area.

Kitchen

Bathroom

How do I register my holiday home?

To register your Holiday Home or Tourist Apartment with the Tourism Registry of Navarra, you must fill in the online registration or go to any General Registry office.

In addition to the application form (completed and signed by the owner), the following documentation must also be submitted as attachments:

• Plans: Plans to scale 1:100 with the surface area of each room that clearly demonstrates fire escapes routes, locations of fire extinguishers and other details in event of a fire.

• Pictures: Saved as JPG files, named and numbered as indicated in section 3 of the Registration Guide of the Government of Navarra.

In addition, the owner or representative must submit:

• Homeowner Details: A copy of the NIE/NIF (of the owner and the representative if applies) along with a copy of the property deed.

• First Occupation Licence: To verify that the property is habitable, a copy of the first occupancy licence or habitability certificate must be provided.

• Insurance: Liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €150,000.