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Spain’s Digital Registry For Short-Term Rental

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Spain has just slammed the brakes on rogue tourist rentals again — and landlords who love to skirt the law might want to sit down for this. Credit: Henry Harris, Shutterstock

Spain has just slammed the brakes on rogue tourist rentals again: New digital registry leaves landlords sweating.

Starting this Tuesday, July 1, every holiday flat, short-term let, and room-for-rent must get a government-issued licence plate — or rather, a digital registration number — before it can be listed online.

Dubbed the Ventanilla Única Digital de Arrendamientos (One-Stop Digital Rental Registry), this new holiday housing system is the Spanish government’s latest weapon in the war against housing fraud. The rules come after a six-month grace period that ended in a flurry of paperwork. Since January 2, nearly 200,000 owners have scrambled to sign up — but just 90,046 have been approved so far, with another 92,044 applications stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

The Ministry of Housing says this shiny new registry, which goes live in full force this July, aims to flush out fraudsters, force transparency, and cool a rental market that’s been boiling over.

And don’t think you can quietly list your secret Airbnbs — the law orders platforms like Airbnb, Booking, and others to clearly show registration numbers on every ad and report activity each month (or every three months for small platforms). They’re also on the hook for random checks to make sure every listing has its official ID.

A licence plate for flats

Think of the new registration number like your rental’s licence plate: it’s unique, mandatory, and good for just a year. When the clock runs out, landlords must reapply and show a list of anonymised rental contracts plus any changes in how they’re operating. Fail to comply? You might as well toss your keys in the bin — penalties include fines and, in severe cases, revocation of rental licences.

Speaking of fines, the PSOE has floated eye-watering penalties of up to €600,000 for platforms that fail to display these numbers on listings. That’s not a typo — six hundred grand. This proposal, part of a broader push by left-wing parties like Sumar, ERC, Bildu, Podemos, and BNG, aims to give short-term tenants the same protections as traditional renters. But the bill is still crawling through Congress.

Fraud fears — or fraud fighting?

The move comes amid growing anger that short-term and seasonal rentals are gobbling up apartments once meant for locals. According to Idealista data, permanent rentals fell 3% last year while seasonal lets soared 25%, sparking fears that landlords are using loopholes to dodge Spain’s rent control laws.

Meanwhile, Spain’s largest trade union, UGT, has filed a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate, blasting the short-term rental industry as “structurally fraudulent” and calling for deeper investigations, including the number of workers and employment conditions behind these lucrative flats.

But not everyone’s cheering. The Spanish Federation of Tourist Apartments (Fevitur) claims the registry will backfire by driving rentals underground, boosting the black market, and stepping on the toes of regional governments.

Thousands of dodgy listings axed

Still, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs isn’t wasting time. Recently, Booking.com purged 4,093 illegal ads after a direct order from the government, proving officials mean business when they say they’re cleaning house. Thousands more suspicious listings are under investigation.

And it’s not just tourist flats under the microscope: temporary rentals — often used to dodge tenant protections — have mushroomed, too. Many unsuspecting renters don’t even realise they’re signing short-term contracts that leave them with fewer rights.

What’s next?

While this new registry gives Spain a powerful tool to monitor rentals, there’s one glaring omission: no new national penalties have been finalised. For now, existing fines from state, regional, and city regulations apply, meaning landlords and platforms could face anything from a slap on the wrist to losing their right to rent.

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Inma’s Racing Heart

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Inma from Archez. Credit: Locos de la Colina Facebook page.

Sometimes, running means more than running.

In just six months, Inma from Archez (a small village in the Axarquia region) has completed over 50 races across Andalusia. But what truly makes Inma stand out is her total commitment to causes that matter.

Inma wears her club’s colours (Locos de la Colina club in the Axarquia region) not just for sport, but for solidarity. Over the past few months, she’s taken part in charity races supporting cancer patients, working with organisations that fund research and assist families through the toughest of times.

She’s run for children with special needs, helping raise money for therapies and treatments to improve their quality of life. And she’s supported awareness for rare diseases, giving voice and visibility to families too often left unheard.

Each race she’s run has symbolised far more than participation, far more than endurance and competitive spirit. We’re talking about hope, compassion, and the belief that sport can be a powerful force for doing good.

All in all, Inma reminds us that running isn’t just about crossing finish lines: it’s about showing up for others. Empathy can go hand in hand with a passion for sport — that’s the real lesson.

And that makes Inma not just a runner, but also an inspiration.

Read here more news from Axarquia.

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Claptone’s Daytime Dance Fever At Nikki Beach

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Claptone & Mood Sax at Nikki Beach. Credit NB

Nikki Beach Marbella has a very special daytime event coming up – “Sol & Sound”, headlined by the internationally celebrated house music artist Claptone. 

On Friday, July 25, from 1pm to 9pm, the beachfront venue will transform into a hot dance haven under the Mediterranean sun, offering a unique experience with pulsating beats.

Recognisable by his trademark golden mask and a sound that fuses deep house with melodic and atmospheric elements, Claptone will take the decks. The enigmatic DJ, who previously performed at Nikki Beach Saint Barth for a New Year’s Eve celebration, is no stranger to captivating audiences worldwide. This time, he trades the dim lights of nightclubs for Marbella’s sunlit shores for a magical daytime set that’s a rare treat for fans.

Behind the golden mask lies an artist who has masterfully balanced mystery with a shining career. Claptone burst onto the house music scene in the early 2010s, and has become a global force in clubland ever since. His discography includes several studio albums and remixes for artists like Depeche Mode, Elton John, and Dua Lipa. As a festival favourite, he has performed at events like Tomorrowland and Coachella. His “The Masquerade” events, which have become known for their theatrical twist, have gained him a reputation as a leading figure in contemporary house music.

“Sol & Sound” will feature a dynamic lineup besides Claptone, with a back-to-back set by Dann Martin and Frank Osorio, as well as Stan Courtois. To add a touch of sophistication, Mood Sax will deliver a live saxophone performance, giving the day a fresh, elegant feel. It’s said the the beach club will be adorned with golden decoration and shimmering spheres, reflecting the warm tones of the sunset.

Nikki Beach Marbella remains a top destination for those seeking the best in house music, an exclusive atmosphere, and a prime location by the Mediterranean. The venue’s summer lineup is impressive, with upcoming performances by artists like Milk & Sugar on August 1 and David Penn on August 8, and with weekly events such as Catch Us Dancing! and Sun to Sea.

On July 25, “Sol & Sound” invites everyone to dance, relax, and soak up the unique energy of Claptone under the sun. Beds and tables can be booked at nikkibeach.com/marbella for this unmissable daytime party.

Nikki Beach is at Carretera de Cádiz, km 192, Marbella.

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Mallorca’s Eco-Tourism Transformation

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Mallorca’s tourism model is going green. Photo Credit: lapping via Pixabay

Now a global reference for tourism, and already one of the most desirable holiday destinations in all of Spain, the vibrant island of Mallorca is looking to the future, to position itself as an example for sustainable tourism efforts. With local development strategies, growing resident awareness, and more ecological projects taking place on the isle, Mallorca is beginning to reinvent itself more consciously, and taking steps to increase its sustainability.

Beginning with the promotion of ecologically conscious tourism projects, Mallorca tourism has begun to push for energy savings, the usage of renewable energy, and the responsible usage of water in hotels and accommodations. Many hotels also source their food and other items from local suppliers, giving guests an authentic taste of Mallorca. Additionally, attractions more related to nature are stepping to the forefront, with hotels and accommodations offering activities such as hiking, organic farming, and cycling.

Not only this, towns are taking care to diminish their carbon footprint. Towns like Valldemossa and Sóller have introduced car restrictions, encouraging public transport, and protecting natural areas. Palma, the wildly popular tourist destination, has also taken part by way of establishing a Low Emission Zone that limits vehicle entry.

Sustainable tourism is also resulting in a boom from the local economy, as holidaymakers are encouraged to shop local, at family-run stores and restaurants, and purchase artisanal and handmade products, putting money directly in the pockets of the locals. The current model, moreover, is committed to preserving Mallorcan culture by way of initiatives that promote Mallorcan art, music, food, and traditions.

In Mallorca, schools, associations, and centres are making it their mission to spread awareness about the importance of incorporating sustainability into activities, respecting the island, consuming water and electricity responsibly, and participating alongside the community.

Mallorca’s new sustainable tourism model is not just a marketing strategy – it’s a reinvention of the island’s identity itself, and a firm foot down to declare that sustainable tourism is not only possible, it’s the future.

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