The Canary Islands’ holiday rental law, Law 6/2025 on the sustainable management of tourist use of homes, has been in force since 13 December 2025. For winter visitors, the main effect is fewer new holiday lets and continued pressure on prices, while existing registered holiday rentals can generally keep operating if they meet the rules.
What the law does
- It limits new holiday rentals in residential buildings and areas, with a reserve for permanent housing.
- It requires homes to be at least 10 years old (5 in some smaller islands and municipalities) to be used as new holiday lets.
- It gives councils a bigger role in deciding where holiday rentals are allowed.
- Authorisations become time-limited and must be renewed.
- It introduces stricter quality and inspection rules.
What it means for you
- Less new supply: popular resorts are unlikely to see many new holiday lets.
- Prices stay high in the busiest areas in peak winter.
- Check the registration: a legal holiday rental should show its registration number.
- Seasonal contracts for stays of a month or more are a different legal category from holiday rentals, but they should still be properly documented.
How to adapt
- Book earlier than before.
- Consider local towns with more ordinary rental stock.
- Look at aparthotels with monthly rates.
Our verdict
The law aims to protect housing for residents. For visitors it mostly means planning ahead and choosing legal, registered accommodation. This is a summary, not legal advice; see the official text published in the Boletín Oficial de Canarias.