A seasonal let (alquiler de temporada) is one made for a specific temporary reason: work, study, medical treatment, building work or a change of residence. In the Comunitat Valenciana, letting a property to the same tenant for 11 days or more falls outside the tourist-home regime and is governed by the Urban Leases Act (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos).
At AlicanteStay we manage homes under this arrangement in Alicante. We take care of the contracts, the guests, the agreed payments and the cleaning at the end of each stay, and we explain in writing what risks exist before you start.
Seasonal, holiday and long-term lets: how they differ
| Tourist rental | Seasonal let | Main residence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 10 consecutive days for the same tenant | 11 days or more, with a temporary reason | Meets a permanent housing need |
| Main legislation | Law 15/2018 on Tourism of the Comunitat Valenciana | Law 29/1994 on Urban Leases, as a use other than housing | Law 29/1994 on Urban Leases |
| Tourism registration | Compulsory, with a municipal compatibility report | Does not apply | Does not apply |
| Services during the stay | Those of a tourist accommodation | No cleaning or linen change during the stay, unless otherwise agreed | Not provided |
If your property is already registered as a tourist rental, signing a contract of more than 10 nights within the period declared as tourist use has consequences: the Generalitat states that the operating period must be amended or the registration cancelled. It is worth checking this before accepting a long stay.
When it may suit your property
- You do not have a tourist licence. In Alicante city the moratorium currently prevents obtaining a new one, as we explain in the tourist licence guide.
- You want less turnover than with stays of a few days, with fewer check-ins and cleans.
- You want to use your home for part of the year, which is harder with a long-term let.
- Your property is close to real demand from relocated workers, students or patients. Without that demand, occupancy will be low.
How we manage it so that the arrangement is genuine
A contract does not turn a holiday stay into a seasonal one. That is why we apply these rules to every booking:
- A minimum stay of 11 consecutive nights for the same guest, and a maximum of 360 days.
- The temporary reason in writing. Before each stay we ask for the reason and record it in the contract.
- An individual contract with the guest’s details, their usual address, the dates, the rent and the reason.
- No back-to-back contracts. At least six months must pass between two stays by the same guest.
- Whole property. Under this arrangement we do not let by the room; for that there is room rental management, with its own conditions.
- Cleaning at the end of the stay, with none of the services of a tourist accommodation while it lasts.
- Guest and contract records available to you, in addition to the traveller register required by Royal Decree 933/2021.
The risks you should know about
These rules reduce the risk, but they do not guarantee how an authority or a court would classify a stay. Valencian tourism law presumes a tourist purpose when a property is marketed through tourist channels or through tourist-home management companies, and the regulation of seasonal lets is still under discussion.
In addition, this arrangement limits demand and may produce lower occupancy and income than a property with a licence. We do not guarantee any financial result. We set this out in writing in an annex to the contract before we begin.
Deposit and Registro Único
Article 36 of the Urban Leases Act provides for a deposit (fianza) in seasonal lets. That deposit cannot be collected or held through booking portals, so it is handled separately.
As for the Registro Único de Arrendamientos (the single rental register), the Supreme Court annulled it in its ruling of 19 May 2026. According to the Generalitat, since then registration is compulsory only in the Registro de Turismo de la Comunitat Valenciana (the Valencian Tourism Register), and only if the property is a tourist rental.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum stay for a seasonal let in Alicante?
We work with a minimum of 11 consecutive nights for the same guest. Valencian law treats lets of 11 days or more as falling outside the tourist-home regime.
Do I need a tourist licence to rent on a seasonal basis?
No, because it is not a tourist-use home. It must be a genuine seasonal let, with a temporary reason and a contract. If the property is already registered as a tourist rental, the declared operating period must be checked first.
Can I list the flat on Booking or Airbnb as a seasonal let?
It depends on what each platform allows at any given time. We check before publishing and, as far as the portal allows, we do not use tourist terms or categories.
How much does this management cost?
We give you a written proposal based on the property and what you want to hand over. You can see our general terms in plans and pricing.
Is it certain that I won’t be fined?
We cannot guarantee it. We apply rules designed to make the arrangement genuine, but how a stay is ultimately classified depends on the authorities or a court. If you have doubts about your case, consult a lawyer.
Sources
- Law 15/2018 on Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality of the Comunitat Valenciana, article 65, as worded by Decree-Law 9/2024.
- Frequently asked questions on tourist-use homes from the Generalitat Valenciana, version of 2 July 2026.
- Law 29/1994 on Urban Leases, articles 3 and 36.
General information reviewed on 31 October 2026. It does not replace legal advice on your case.
Tell us whether your property is a fit
Tell us where it is, whether it has a tourist licence and which dates you want to let. We will tell you which arrangement fits and what risks it carries.
Request a valuation of your property
Tell us about it and we will contact you to review the income it could generate and what managing it would involve.