How to Get the Tourist Licence (HUT) to Monetise Your Property in Barcelona

If you own a property in Barcelona and want to monetise it through tourist rental, you're legally required to hold an HUT licence (Habilitació d'Ús Turístic). This guide covers the requirements, the process, and the alternatives if your area has restrictions on new licences.

Own a property in Barcelona and want to monetise it with full legal security? At Akira Flats, we manage the entire licensing process and tourist operation of your property. 👉 Discover our property management service

What the HUT Licence Is and Who Needs It

The HUT is the mandatory registration that legally authorises a property for short-term tourist use in Catalonia. Without it, any rental by days or weeks — even through platforms like Airbnb — is illegal and subject to penalties.

Prerequisites to Apply for the Licence

Steps to Apply for the HUT Licence

1. Check the zoning compatibility of your building in the City Council's Special Urban Plan for Tourist Accommodation (PEUAT)
2. Obtain the habitability certificate if you don't have one, via a qualified technician
3. Submit the prior notification to the Generalitat de Catalunya along with the technical documentation
4. Take out the mandatory civil liability insurance
5. Install the identification plaque at the property's entrance
6. Register as an economic activity with the Tax Agency

Does the process seem complicated? Our team handles the full management of your licence and your apartment's operation. 👉 Ask about our property management service

What If Your Area Doesn't Allow New Licences

Barceloneta, Ciutat Vella and other high tourist-pressure areas have moratoriums preventing new HUT licences from being granted. If your property is in one of these areas, your alternatives are:

• Buy an existing licence: Some HUT licences are transferable along with the activity, though the cost can be high
• Seasonal or monthly rental: No HUT licence is required if the minimum stay exceeds 32 days and it's formalised as a seasonal rental under Spanish tenancy law (LAU)
• Traditional long-term rental: No zoning restrictions, though with lower per-night profitability

Expected Profitability by Management Type

• Self-management: Higher margin on gross income, but requires dedicating time to check-ins, cleaning, guest support and keeping the licence in good standing.
• Delegated to a specialised management company: Commissions typically range from 15% to 25% of income, but free the owner from day-to-day operations and reduce the risk of incidents that could jeopardise the licence (neighbour complaints, regulatory breaches, etc.).
• Compared to traditional rental: A well-located property in Eixample or Ciutat Vella can generate 40-80% more annual income under managed tourist rental than under traditional long-term rental, though with greater seasonal variability and more administrative obligations.

Owner's Tax Obligations

Beyond the HUT licence, the owner must declare tourist rental income as an economic activity under personal income tax (or corporate tax if operating through a company), and in some cases register for the special self-employed regime if the activity is considered regular. Guest registration with the Mossos d'Esquadra/police within 24 hours of each check-in is also mandatory — a task most property management companies include in their service.

Approximate Cost of the Process

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to process an HUT licence? The process can take 1 to 3 months depending on the documentation already available and the City Council's administrative workload.

Can I rent my property while the licence is being processed? No, tourist rental without a valid HUT is illegal and can incur penalties from the very first day of activity.

What if my area has a licence moratorium? You can explore seasonal rental (minimum 32 days) as a legal alternative that doesn't require an HUT licence, or consider buying an existing licence.

Does Akira Flats help manage my property's licence? Yes, we offer a full-service package including licence advice, booking management and property maintenance.