The whole truth about the Ibiza touristic licence (ETV)
Ibiza is an island filled with history and mystery. Its narrow streets, old town centre, and beautiful stretches of nature are characteristic to those who reminisce long summers on the white island. Over the years, Ibiza has become a beacon for health fanatics, party goers, sunbathers, and modern hippies. With this diverse community ever-growing, it has attracted another niche… Rental properties!
But how to navigate the rental market with the current legislations? We will break it down and explain everything you need to know to start renting out your properties in Ibiza!
1. What is an Ibiza touristic licence?
Many people dream of living on Ibiza. One of its perks is being able to spend your summers under the Spanish sun, while making some rental money in the winter (or the other way around). Moreover, Ibiza is one of the most beloved destinations for tourism and vacations.
This has lead to a surge in the rental market, and in 2012, the government introduced the LAU: Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos / Urban Leases Act. This law specified the need to have the ETV tourist licence (Estancia Turistica en Viviendas / tourist stay in homes). The licence allows you to rent out a property short term to tourists.
Without this licence, you can still rent out properties, but they have to be long-term-rentals for periods of more than one month. Besides that, the property cannot offer any touristic services, nor be advertised on touristic offer channels, such as booking sites, social media, or real estate agencies. People who are discovered to break this law will be heavily fined.
Obtaining a licence can be a bit of a complicated process, as bureaucracy in Spain is known for its snails pace. Moreover, not every type of property qualifies for the licence. However, if you manage to get your hands on one, you can now rent out your property to tourists, in one of the most desirable of the Balearic Islands!
2. What are the different types of licences?
1.a ETV365-Un: Tourist stays in single-family homes
- Having no properties adjoining
- Only property on the plot
1.b Tourist stays in single-family homes ‘entre medianeras’
- Share common sidewall (linked villas / semi-detached properties)
- Must have its separate plot
1.c Tourist stays in single-family homes, ‘paraeda’
- Share common sidewall (linked villas / semi-detached properties)
- Shares plot with other properties (community of town houses)
The registration for this type of licence does not expire, and the properties can be rented out all year.
2. ETV365-Pluri: Tourist stays in multifamily properties
- Property contains more than one housing unit
- Licence expires after 5 years and is renewable
- Can be rented out all year
3. ETV60: Tourist stays in single-family and multiple-family properties
- Owner is registered as residing in the property
- Can be rented out maximum 60 days per year
- Licence expires after 5 years and is renewable.
3. What property can get the Ibiza tourist licence?
Everybody who owns a detached property can apply, but only the ones that fit the requirements, will be issued a licence. Unfortunately, touristic licences are unavailable for flats and will mostly be given to villas and (semi) detached houses. A property has to fit the following criteria:
- The property must be rented out in its entirety.
- The home must be detached or semi-detached.
- The house must be a short-term rental, not longer than one month maximum.
- The house must have a certificate of occupancy (cedula de habitabilidad).
- The home must be located in a tourist zone.
- The home must have been used as a private residence over the course of five years.
- The homeowners’ association must be in acceptance with the holiday rentals.
- The home must have no more than 6 bedrooms and house 12 people maximal.
- The home must have public liability and property insurance (minimum of €300.000).
- There must be water consumption control systems.
- There must be separate counters for supplies such as gas or electricity.
- The home must be in accordance with sustainability and accessibility standards.
- The home cannot have been under official protection.
- The property must be equipped with 1 bathroom for every 4 'plazas'.
- The property must have a 24-hour contact phone number.
- The house must comply with all regulations applicable.
- The home must show the holiday rental licence number in all market material for the home.
- The tourists must be registered with the police in accordance with the citizen security regulations.
- The home must provide basic amenities, such as cleaning services, sheets, and towels.
- The house must visibly display a plaque with the specific number that identifies it as a holiday rental.
- The 'PIAT’s', (intervention plans in tourist areas) as well as the 'PTIs' (Insular territorial plans) must be in acceptance with the renting of the property.
- The property must not have any had previous unfulfilled sanctions imposed for infringements (this is stated in the ‘certificado de inexistencia de infraccion urbanistica’.)
- The home must have an active energy certificate and must meet the energy efficiency requirements (F for buildings built before 31/12/2007 and D for buildings built after 01/01/2008).
This is a proper list, and there might even be more requirements, depending on the exact location of the property you want to apply for. Therefore, we always recommend using a trustworthy lawyer to ease this process and be sure everything is properly taken care of.
4. How much does a touristic licence in Ibiza cost?
The licences sell based on the accommodation capacity. The amount of 'plazas' each property can buy depends on the number of places in the occupancy certificate.
Depending on the type of property and licence, the costs are:
- ETV365-Un: €3,500 per place.
- ETV365-Pluri: €875 per place
- ETV60: €291.67 per place
For a 3-bedroom villa that holds 4 guests, the cost of the licence would be €3,500 × 4 = €14,000.
5. How to apply for an Ibiza touristic licence?
The first step is going to the town hall and request a certificate to prove the property is situated in a touristic zone.
Step two is purchasing the 'plazas' at the Ministry of Tourism in Ibiza /El Consorcio del Conselleria de Turismo. Here you will need to show the original certificate plus a photocopy of the tourist zone certificate, and a certificate of Licence of First Occupation /Cedula de habitabilidad de la vivienda.
At the Ministry, you will submit the document to purchase the 'plazas', and the payment for administrative fees of the submission.
Once the sale of the ‘plazas’ has been accepted, after the first payment you can apply for a DRIAT /declaration responsible for the start of tourist activity, and present it via:
The following documentation must be submitted together with the DRIAT:
- Identity documents (passport, NIE, etc.)
- Certificate of town hall that shows the property is situated in a tourist zone.
- Certificate of purchased ‘plazas’, obtained by the Ministry of Tourism.
- For ETV365-Pluri licences: proof of allowance of holiday rentals by the community.
- For ETV60 licences: certificate of ‘empadronamiento’.
- Filled out Modernisation Plan Annex 6 of Decree 20/2015 (self assessment document available on the website of the Dirección General de Turismo.
- Filled out form Model 046 from the Agencia Tributaria
The property will be inspected at a later time, but from the moment you have your DRIAT accepted, you can start renting out your property legally on Ibiza!
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6. FAQ about the Ibiza touristic licence
Is Ibiza a good investment?
We can say that the property prices in Ibiza have steadily been rising over the years, and they continue to do so. Especially after Covid-19 and the new living conditions, people want to live freely, in good weather, and close to nature. High-quality of live is the most important, and as people get more wealthy, we expect more and more will settle in Ibiza, making it a high-end market. It gets fuelled by wealthy foreigners, and with the limited supply, now might be the right time to hop in the boat!
Can I rent out properties without a touristic licence?
Yes, but only long-term rentals, meaning longer than one month. You will not be able to advertise on any touristic platform, such as Airbnb or social media. Unregistered rented properties (without the DRIAT) will be fined between €20.000—€40.000, plus the owner will receive a cease for renting out the property until the sanctions are fixed.
How many properties can I maximally rent out in Ibiza?
The maximum number of houses you can sublet in Ibiza is 3 or less.
What services must I offer to rent out on Ibiza?
- Directly or indirectly:
- Cleaning of the house
- Supplies and household goods (bed linen, towels, etc.)
- Maintaining the installations
- Other determined acts that are in the Quality Plan
What if I find a property that already has a touristic licence?
While on the hunt, you might encounter some properties that already have an application at the town hall. It is essential you check the entire application and obtain a copy to determine when it was granted. Be careful not to mix up the application for the licence with the actual licence. The approved licence always starts with ‘ETV’. Make sure to use a trusted lawyer to smoothen out this process.
Hansson & Hertzell can take a lot of the stress out of your hands and provide you with a team of competent lawyers that will take on the application. With more than 13 years of experience and a wide network of professionals on location; we are always available for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
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