Holiday rentals on the Costa Blanca remain a magnet for investors, but the rules have tightened. Since Decree-Law 9/2024 of the Valencian Government, operating a tourist home (VUT) in Alicante or Benidorm involves more steps — and buying a home "with a licence" means verifying that the licence is actually in force.

What counts as a VUT in the Valencian Community

A complete home let for a price, immediately available, for tourist purposes, for periods of 10 days or fewer to the same guest. Longer stays fall under tenancy law, not tourism rules.

The three key requirements in 2026

1. A favourable Urban Compatibility Report (ICU) from the town hall, certifying that tourist use is allowed at that specific location. This is the step that blocks most applications — each municipality defines its zones in its urban plan, and both Alicante and Benidorm apply zone-based limits.
2. The property's own cadastral reference (if it lacks one, a cadastral alteration must be processed first).
3. A responsible declaration with Turisme GVA filed electronically, registering the property in the Valencian Tourism Registry and obtaining its number.

Licences are no longer forever: 5 years

Registrations are valid for 5 years and must be renewed with a new declaration in the month before expiry. If you are buying a home advertised "with tourist licence", check the registration number and its date — a lapsed licence does not transfer automatically.

The community of owners matters too

Spanish horizontal property rules allow communities to restrict or condition tourist use in the building. Before buying to let, review the community statutes and resolutions: it is as decisive as the licence itself.

What this means if you buy or sell

For sellers, a VUT with a current, renewable registration is a powerful pricing argument, especially in Benidorm and Playa de San Juan. For buyer-investors, prior verification (ICU, registry, statutes) is the difference between an investment and a problem. VITALITY checks the real tourist status of the property in every transaction — and if you are thinking of selling a licensed home, start by learning what it is worth today with a free valuation.