NRA vs VFT vs NRUA: the difference explained for vacation rental owners

NRA, VFT, NRUA - three acronyms that Costa del Sol owners constantly mix up. We get asked almost every week: "Is my VFT number not enough?" No, it is not. You need two numbers to rent legally, and the order in which you apply matters.

Anouar Zhaoui · 2026-05-19

Update 22 May 2026: national NRA registry scrapped

Important update (22 May 2026)

On 22 May 2026, the Spanish Supreme Court voided the national rental registry. Applying for a national NRA number is no longer required. Your regional VFT registration and SES Hospedajes guest registration remain fully mandatory. Read what the ruling means for you before following this guide.

The three numbers at a glance

Acronym	Full name	Purpose	Issued by
VFT	Vivienda con Fines Turisticos	Regional permission to rent as a tourist property	Junta de Andalucia
NRA	Numero de Registro de Alquiler	National registration number for platforms	VUDA (Ministry)
NRUA	Numero de Registro Unico de Arrendamientos	Broad national rental number (incl. long-term)	VUDA (Ministry)

In short: the VFT number is your regional license from the Junta de Andalucia. The NRA number is your national registration number mandatory on all booking platforms. The NRUA number is the broader variant that also covers long-term rentals. As a vacation rental owner, you need the VFT and the NRA.

VFT: your regional rental license

The VFT number (Vivienda con Fines Turisticos) is the regional registration you need from the Junta de Andalucia to legally rent out your property as tourist accommodation. It is the first step in the process and forms the foundation for all other registrations.

Key characteristics of VFT

• Issued by: Junta de Andalucia (regional) • Cost: free • Processing time: 10-15 working days • Validity: unlimited, as long as you meet the requirements • Required for: NRA application, advertising on platforms, legal rental operation Without a VFT number, you cannot apply for an NRA number at VUDA. The VFT is always the first step. Read our complete guide to VFT registration in Andalusia for the full application process.

NRA: your national platform number

The NRA number (Numero de Registro de Alquiler) is the national registration number mandatory on all booking platforms since July 2025. It is issued through the VUDA system (Ventanilla Unica Digital de Arrendamientos) of the Ministry of Transport and Housing.

Key characteristics of NRA

• Issued by: VUDA / Ministry (national) • Cost: 27 euros per property • Processing time: 5-15 working days • Format: 53 characters (country code + region code + cadastral + sequence) • Required for: staying active on Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO Without an NRA number, platforms deactivate your listing. Read our VUDA registration guide for the full process.

NRUA: the broad rental number

The NRUA number (Numero de Registro Unico de Arrendamientos) is the broader variant of the registration number in the VUDA system. Where the NRA is specific to tourist rentals, the NRUA covers all forms of rental, including long-term leases. For most vacation rental owners on the Costa del Sol, the NRUA is not the relevant number. You need an NRA. The NRUA is mainly relevant if you also rent long-term or operate in a region where the distinction is handled differently.

When do you need an NRUA?

• You also rent your property long-term (more than 2 months) • You have both tourist and standard rental contracts • Your regional government specifically requires an NRUA instead of an NRA In practice, the distinction for most Costa del Sol owners is simple: if you rent through Airbnb or Booking.com, the NRA is the number you need.

Which numbers do you need and in what order?

For a vacation rental owner on the Costa del Sol, this is the order:

Step 1: Apply for VFT number at the Junta de Andalucia - this is your regional license and the foundation for everything. Read the VFT guide.
Step 2: Apply for NRA number through VUDA - once you have your VFT, you can complete your national registration. Read the VUDA guide.
Step 3: Add NRA number to your listings on Airbnb, Booking.com, and other platforms.
Step 4: Set up SES Hospedajes for guest registration. Read the SES guide.

The NRUA is not needed for most vacation rental owners. Focus on the VFT and NRA.

Common points of confusion

The biggest source of confusion is owners thinking the VFT number is the same as the NRA number. It is not. The VFT is regional and gives you permission to rent. The NRA is national and is the number that must appear on your listings. You need both.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need both a VFT and an NRA?: Yes. The VFT is your regional license (Junta de Andalucia). The NRA is your national registration number (VUDA). Without a VFT you cannot apply for an NRA, and without an NRA platforms deactivate your listing.
What is the difference between NRA and NRUA?: The NRA is specific to tourist rentals (short-term). The NRUA is broader and also covers long-term leases. As a vacation rental owner, you need the NRA.
Can I apply for an NRA without a VFT?: No. VUDA verifies your VFT registration as part of the NRA application process.
What is the total cost?: The VFT registration is free. The NRA registration costs 27 euros. Total cost: 27 euros per property.
How long does the whole process take?: VFT: 10-15 working days. NRA: 5-15 working days. In the best case, you have both numbers within 3-4 weeks.
Where do I display which number?: On your Airbnb and Booking.com listings, you display your NRA number. The VFT number must also be visible on your listing and in all advertising. Platforms specifically ask for the NRA number.

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