What changed
The Canary Islands’ law on the sustainable tourist use of homes (Ley 6/2025) came into force on 13 December 2025. It treats holiday rental as an activity that towns plan for, rather than something any owner can start by filing a form.
If the home is already registered
Homes properly registered as holiday rentals when the law took effect keep that use for five years, which can be extended once to ten. Alternatively, owners can opt for a permanent status as a consolidated tourist use, under the conditions in the law.
When you buy such a home, check that the registration is valid and exactly what it covers. Your lawyer should look at this before you sign anything.
If you want to start renting out
On residential land, a new holiday rental is only possible where the town’s planning allows it. Planning must keep at least 90% of the residential buildable area for housing, or 80% on La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
If a town has not adapted its plans within five years, the island council applies fallback rules, including a cap on tourist capacity of 10% of residents per town and per district. Declaring an area a stressed housing zone automatically suspends new licences there. New licences last five years and can be renewed.
What to check before you buy
Don’t base the price you pay on holiday-rental income unless the right to it is in writing. Ask for the registration of the home, and read the rules of the community of owners, which can forbid holiday rental altogether. Ask the town hall how far it has come in adapting its plans.
Long-term rental is a different matter and remains open to any owner, under the general tenancy law.
This guide explains how things generally work and was last checked in November 2026. It is not legal or tax advice: rules change, and your situation may differ. Have a lawyer or tax adviser confirm what applies to you.
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