Whether you’re a foreign investor or a non-resident homeowner, renting out your property in Barcelona can provide stable income — but Spanish rental laws are strict and constantly changing.
This guide covers everything you need to know to legally rent out your property in Barcelona, including the difference between long-term rentals and short-term tourist lets, plus tax and licensing obligations for foreign owners.
🔄 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Rentals in Barcelona
🗓️ Long-Term Rental (Contrato de Arrendamiento)
-
Minimum lease: 6–12 months
-
No special license needed
-
Regulated under Spanish Urban Leases Act (LAU)
-
Tenant protections are strong
✅ Ideal for owners who want consistent income and avoid tourist restrictions
🏖️ Short-Term Rental (Tourist Let)
-
Rentals of less than 31 days
-
Requires Tourist License (HUTB)
-
Subject to strict regulation by the Barcelona City Hall
-
No new licenses are being issued in most areas (moratorium in effect)
⚠️ Unlicensed tourist letting can result in fines of €60,000 or more
📑 Can Foreigners Rent Out Their Property?
Yes — foreigners can legally rent out their property in Barcelona, provided they:
-
Have a valid title deed (escritura pública)
-
Are registered as non-resident taxpayers in Spain
-
Follow Spanish tax laws and declare rental income
-
Comply with Catalonia’s rental laws and licensing system
🏛️ Legal Requirements for Long-Term Rentals
To rent legally, you must:
-
Draft a legal lease contract in Spanish or Catalan
-
Register the deposit with INCASÒL (Catalan Housing Institute)
-
Provide tenant with energy efficiency certificate
-
Declare rental income quarterly if you’re a non-resident
💡 We provide full rental compliance support and contract drafting in both Spanish and English.
🧾 What Taxes Do Foreign Landlords Pay?
🪙 Income Tax on Rent
-
Non-residents (EU/EEA): taxed at 19%, can deduct expenses
-
Non-EU: taxed at 24%, no deductions
💶 Other Taxes:
-
Annual IBI (Property Tax)
-
Possible garbage collection tax
-
Capital gains tax applies when you sell the property
We handle tax declarations for non-resident landlords in Barcelona.
📉 Risks of Renting Without Legal Compliance
-
❌ Fines of €20,000–€60,000 for illegal tourist letting
-
❌ Unpaid taxes and interest
-
❌ Invalid contracts → no legal recourse against tenants
-
❌ Blacklisting from future rental or visa applications
🛡️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps Foreign Owners Rent Legally
✔️ Verify rental classification (tourist or long-term)
✔️ Draft and register compliant lease contracts
✔️ Handle NIE, tax registration, and deposits with INCASÒL
✔️ Declare quarterly rental income for non-residents
✔️ Advise on city zoning, licenses, and restrictions
🌍 Multilingual Legal Support for International Landlords
We serve clients in:
-
🇬🇧 English
-
🇫🇷 French
-
🇩🇪 German
-
🇳🇱 Dutch
-
🇪🇸 Spanish
📞 Want to Rent Out Your Barcelona Property Legally?
Our lawyers ensure your rental activity in Barcelona is 100% legal and tax-compliant — whether you’re offering long-term housing or looking into Airbnb-style letting (where permitted).