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First time renting your Costa del Sol property: the complete guide

You've just bought a property on the Costa del Sol - or you're thinking about renting out your existing property. The paperwork can feel overwhelming: VFT, NRA, SES Hospedajes, cédula de habitabilidad. But tackle them in the right order and you can have your first booking within a month.

· 2026-05-19

Step 1: Check if your property qualifies

Not every property on the Costa del Sol can be rented out. Check these points: • Community approval - for apartments, you need approval from the owners' association (3/5 majority) • Zoning - check with the municipality if tourist rental is allowed in your zone • Building condition - the property must meet safety requirements: fire safety, ventilation, hot water • Cédula de habitabilidad - a habitability certificate is required

Special situations

If your property is in a gated community, you also need permission from the community and need to solve the dual access problem for guests.

Step 2: Permits and registrations

You need several registrations to rent legally:
  1. VFT registration - the basic permit from the Junta de Andalucía. Application takes 2-4 weeks.
  2. NRA number - national registration number, mandatory since July 2025. Without NRA, Airbnb and Booking deactivate your listing. Read the difference between NRA, VFT and NRUA.
  3. SES Hospedajes setup - you must register with the SES portal to report guests.
  4. Liability insurance - minimum €150,000 coverage for guests.
  5. NIE/NIF - your Spanish tax number for tax returns.
See our complete permits checklist for all details.

Step 3: Get your property rental-ready

Guests expect a professional experience. The minimum: • Clean, well-furnished property with kitchen supplies, bedding and towels • WiFi - fast and reliable, mention the speed in your listing • Air conditioning - essential on the Costa del Sol, even for winter season rental • Welcome information - digital guide with WiFi password, restaurant tips, emergency contacts • Professional photos - invest in quality photography, this makes the difference in bookings

Smart lock installation

A smart lock is the best investment you can make as a new rental owner. No more key handovers, no waiting guests, no lockbox that doesn't work. KeyLessCosta installs and configures your smart lock and connects it to your bookings.

Step 4: List and get your first booking

Start with Airbnb as your first platform - it’s the most user-friendly for new hosts. Tips: • Competitive starting price - start 10-15% below market rate to get your first reviews • Superhost quality - respond quickly, provide a clean property, exceed expectations • Booking.com - add this once you have 5+ Airbnb reviews for extra reach • VRBO - popular with American guests, good for higher-end properties

Automate from day one

Don't make the mistake of starting manually and automating later. With KeyLessCosta, you automate from your first guest: smart lock codes, SES registration, welcome messages. You start professional from the beginning.

Step 5: Taxes and administration

As a rental owner in Spain, you have tax obligations: • IRNR - non-resident income tax (19% for EU citizens, 24% for non-EU) • IBI - property tax (paid regardless) • Modelo 210 - quarterly filing with the Agencia Tributaria • Tourist tax - some municipalities levy an additional tourist tax Consider a Spanish gestor (accountant) experienced with vacation rentals. The cost is €300-€600 per year and prevents issues with the Spanish tax authority.

Frequently asked questions from new rental owners

How much can I earn with my vacation rental?
This depends on location, size and season. A 2-bedroom apartment in Málaga can generate €15,000-€25,000 per year with good occupancy. A villa with pool in Marbella can reach €40,000-€60,000.
Can I rent out if I don't live in Spain?
Yes, many owners manage their property from the Netherlands, Germany or the UK. With KeyLessCosta you can handle everything remotely: check-in, guest registration, communication.
How long until I can start?
VFT registration takes 2-4 weeks. NRA number application takes 1-2 weeks. In total, you can receive your first guest within 4-6 weeks.
KeyLessCosta
Málaga, Andalucía 29001, Spain
+31 6 18 28 40 11 (WhatsApp)
keylesscosta@gmail.com