Tourist tax in Spain A complete guide

With its Mediterranean beaches, and world-famous cities, Spain is a top destination. In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need. What the rates are, who pays it, and how guest registration compliance works.

Why do Spanish regions charge a tourist tax?

Tourism plays a major role in the Spanish economy, but it also puts pressure on public services, housing, and the environment. Several regions use a tourist tax to help cover these costs and support more sustainable tourism. 

There is no nationwide tourist tax. Instead, each autonomous region sets its own rules. Catalonia and the Balearic Islands already have a tax in place, while others like Valencia are preparing to follow. National law also requires all hosts to register guest details through the SES Hospedajes system.

Tourist tax by city in Spain

Want to know the rules regarding tourist tax per municipality in Spain? Trippz collects all data about tourist tax. Below is an overview of the specific tourist tax rules of various municipalities in Spain:

• A Coruña
• Alicante
• Barcelona
• Bilbao
• Girona
• Ibiza
• Madrid
• Málaga
• Marbella
• Palma de Mallorca
• Salou
• Santiago de Compostella
• Seville
• Valencia

For tourists

Who pays the tourist tax in Spain?

In Spain, the tourist tax is paid by the guest. It applies to overnight stays in many types of accommodation, including hotels, apartments, and campsites. Children are often exempt, depending on the region.

There is no national tourist tax law in Spain. Each region decides whether to apply a tax and how it should be collected. In most cases, the host collects the tax from the guest and reports it to the local authorities. Some booking platforms may handle this process on behalf of the host, but not everywhere.

• When do you pay the tourist tax?

  In most cases, the tourist tax in Spain is paid when you check in at your accommodation. Some booking platforms include the tax in the total price and collect it during the reservation process.

  The exact timing depends on how and where you book. Hosts are responsible for making sure the tourist tax is collected and reported correctly, whether it is paid in person or online.

How is the tourist tax calculated in Spain?

The tourist tax in Spain is calculated differently in each region. Rates depend on factors like the type of accommodation, the location, the number of nights, and the time of year.

For example, in Barcelona, guests staying in high-end hotels pay more than those in budget hostels. In the Balearic Islands, the tax is higher in summer and reduced after the eighth night. Some regions offer exemptions for children or reduced rates for youth hostels.

Tourist tax in the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands apply a regional tourist tax called the Sustainable Tourism Tax (Impost del Turisme Sostenible), introduced in 2016. It applies uniformly across all 67 municipalities in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. The rules are set by the regional government of the Comunidad Autónoma Illes Balears, not by local authorities.

The tax applies to all overnight stays in registered accommodations, including hotels, apartments, hostels, rural houses, and campsites. Rates vary by accommodation type and season. In high season (May to October), guests in four- and five-star hotels can pay up to €4.00 per person, per night. In low season (November to April), the amount is reduced by 75%. Children under 16 are exempt, and the amount is halved from the ninth night onward.

Frequently asked questions from tourists

• Is the tourist tax included in my booking?

  It depends on how and where you book. Some platforms, like Airbnb, include the tourist tax in the total price in certain cities. Others don’t, so you’ll need to pay it directly to the host when you arrive. Always check the details before completing your booking.

• Do children pay tourist tax in Spain?

  In most regions, children (under 16, 17 or 18) are exempt, but there are exceptions. Some areas apply lower rates for teenagers or students. If you’re traveling with children, it’s worth checking the local rules to know what to expect.

• Do I pay the same amount everywhere in Spain?

  No. Each region — and sometimes each city — sets its own rules. The tax can vary depending on the type of accommodation, the season, and the number of nights. For example, rates in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands are among the highest.

• Can I get a refund if I leave early?

  Refunds are rare, especially if the tax was charged upfront. Some hosts may offer flexibility, but it depends on local policies and how the payment was handled. If you're unsure, ask the host or reception when you check in.

• Why do I have to pay a tourist tax in Spain?

  Tourist taxes help cover the cost of tourism in busy areas. The money goes to public services, environmental projects, and cultural preservation. It’s a way for destinations to keep tourism sustainable over the long term.

• I was asked to pay tourist tax upon arrival, but I already paid through the booking platform. Is this correct?

  If you already paid tourist tax through the booking platform, you should not need to pay it again upon arrival. In such cases, you can show the receipt or confirmation from the booking platform to the accommodation provider as proof of payment. If there is confusion, you may need to contact the booking platform’s customer service to resolve the issue.

For hosts

Renting out in Spain: a lot to consider

Renting out a holiday home in Spain comes with more rules than many hosts expect. From guest registration through SES Hospedajes to tourist tax collection and local rental permits, there is a lot to keep track of. The exact requirements differ from one region to another.

Some booking platforms help with parts of the process, but most of the responsibility remains with the host. In the next sections, we explain what you need to know to stay compliant, avoid fines, and manage your rental with confidence.

How Trippz helps

Guest registration in Spain

All hosts in Spain are required to register their guests through SES Hospedajes, the national system for guest reporting. This applies to all types of tourist accommodation, including holiday rentals, hotels, and campsites.

For each guest, you must collect and submit the following information within 24 hours of arrival:

• Full name
• Gender
• Identity document number and Document support number (only for Spanish DNI holders)
• Type of document (DNI, passport, TIE)
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Place of habitual residence (street, city, country)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Number of travelers
• Relationship between travelers (in the event that any of them is a minor)
• All guests aged 14 and older must confirm the accuracy of the data with a signature

This obligation is set out in Royal Decree 933/2021. Those who register late or incompletely risk a fine of €100 to €30,000.

Guest data must be stored for three years

Submitting guest data to SES Hospedajes is not the only requirement. Hosts must also keep a local record of the submitted information for three years after the end of each stay.

This obligation is part of Royal Decree 933/2021 and applies to all accommodation providers in Spain. The stored data must match what was submitted and should be made available to the authorities if requested during that period.

• Trippz integrates with SES Hospedajes

  Submitting guest data manually takes time and creates room for error. Trippz offers a direct integration with SES Hospedajes, so your guest registration is handled automatically, in the right format and always on time.

  Once a guest checks in, their details are sent directly to SES Hospedajes. You do not need to log in elsewhere or upload files manually. You remain in full control. The data is always accessible in your dashboard, and you can review or edit it at any time before it’s sent.

  This automated workflow also applies to other countries. Just as with Alloggiati Web and ROSS1000 in Italy, Trippz takes care of the compliance work behind the scenes so you can focus on hosting.

Handling of tourist tax in Spain

• Collecting tourist tax

  In Spain, hosts are required to collect tourist tax from their guests. The amount depends on the region, the type of accommodation, the number of nights, and sometimes the age of the guest. Rates may also change between high and low season.

  You must inform your guests about the tax, apply the correct rate, and make sure it is collected properly. This can happen online during booking or at check-in, depending on how your property is listed.

• Remitting tourist tax

  Each region decides how and when the tourist tax must be reported and paid to the authorities. In some places, this is done quarterly. In others, it follows a local or annual schedule.

  As the host, you are responsible for submitting the payment. This applies even when you have already collected the tax from the guest. If deadlines are missed or amounts are incorrect, local authorities may impose fines.

• Tourist tax when using booking platforms

  Some booking platforms such as Airbnb collect tourist tax on your behalf in specific regions. This can be helpful, but it is not available everywhere and it is not always easy to confirm what has been paid.

  If you also accept direct bookings, or if your platform does not handle tourist tax in your area, then you still need to take care of the collection and remittance yourself. Trippz shows you what has already been handled and what still needs attention.

• Automate tourist tax collection with Trippz

  Trippz knows the correct tourist tax rate for every region in Spain. Whether it depends on accommodation type, season, or guest age, the right rate is always applied. This removes guesswork and ensures full compliance from the start.

  At check-in, the tourist tax is collected automatically through our app. You no longer need to calculate amounts manually or explain the fee to your guests. Trippz gives you a clear overview for every booking, so you always know what has been charged and what still needs to be remitted. You save time, avoid errors, and stay in control. Even when managing multiple properties.

Learn more about Trippz for hosts

Frequently asked questions from hosts

• Can I list my property on Airbnb without a tourist license in Spain?

  No. Most regions in Spain require a valid tourist license number before you can legally list your property on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com. From 2025, a national registration number will also be required. Listings without a valid license may be removed by the platform or fined by local authorities.

• Is the tourist tax income taxable in Spain?

  Tourist tax is not considered part of your income and should not be included when calculating your rental revenue. You are collecting the tax on behalf of the authorities. However, you should keep records of what was charged and remitted in case of an audit.

• Do I need a rental license to host guests in Spain?

  Yes. In most regions, you need to register your property and obtain a tourist rental license before accepting guests. In some areas, you also need approval from your building’s homeowners' association. A national registration number will become mandatory in 2025.

• What happens if I forget to register a guest with SES Hospedajes?

  Guest registration is required by law. If you miss the 24-hour deadline or enter incomplete information, you may face fines. Trippz helps you stay compliant by submitting the registration automatically at check-in.

• Do I still have to collect tourist tax if Airbnb says they handle it?

  Not always. Airbnb collects and pays tourist tax in certain cities, but not everywhere in Spain. As the host, you are still responsible for ensuring the tax is handled correctly, even if a platform helps.

• How often do I need to pay the tourist tax to the authorities?

  This depends on the region. Some require quarterly declarations, others follow different local schedules. Trippz keeps track of deadlines and shows you what still needs to be paid.

• Do I need to keep records for tourist tax and guest registration?

  Yes. You must keep guest data for three years, even after submitting it through SES Hospedajes. For tourist tax, you should also keep records of what was collected and when it was paid, in case authorities request it.

• How do I make this all as simple as possible?

  By using Trippz! Instead of keeping track of everything by hand, by yourself we automate the  guest registration and tourist tax collection for you, ensuring compliance with local regulations and reducing administrative burden.

Get started!

How Trippz helps hosts

Renting out your accommodation comes with real administrative work: registering guests, calculating the right tourist tax, and collecting it from every booking. Trippz automates all of it. It is the only company in the space that calculates and collects tourist tax for you, and keeps every rate up to date.

Tourist tax calculated, collected and kept current

Tourist tax rules in Spain are set per region and change without warning. Whether the rate depends on accommodation type, season, or guest age, Trippz monitors rates in 70+ countries and applies the correct amount to every stay, so you never have to track a rate change yourself. Your guests receive a payment request on arrival day and pay their tourist tax digitally. Trippz pays the collected amount out to you monthly, with a clear overview. You simply forward the total to your authority.

Guest registration via SES Hospedajes

Spanish law requires you to register every guest through SES Hospedajes within 24 hours of arrival, and to keep the submitted data on record for three years. Registering late or incompletely risks fines from €100 to €30,000 under Real Decreto 933/2021. Trippz offers a direct integration with SES Hospedajes, so guest registration is handled automatically, in the correct format and always on time.

As soon as a guest checks in, their data is sent securely to SES Hospedajes. You do not need to log in to external portals or upload files manually. The data is always accessible in your dashboard, and you can review or edit it before it is submitted. Bookings sync automatically through property management systems like Lodgify, Guesty and Smoobu. See all current connections on our integrations page.

Explore Trippz for Hosts

Frequently asked questions about the use of Trippz

• How can platforms and software vendors use Trippz?

  Trippz provides tourist tax content and a ready made calculation engine through one API. Platforms and software vendors add accurate tax calculation to their product without maintaining a rate database in house. Guest registration and authority connections are available as a separate capability for those who need it.

• How does Trippz keep tourist tax rates current?

  Trippz checks the jurisdictions it covers against official sources and updates rates automatically when a city or country changes them.

  
  

• Which countries and cities does Trippz cover?

  Trippz maintains tourist tax data across a wide range of countries and cities. See the full overview in our tourist tax guides.

• Is Trippz's data and infrastructure secure?

  Yes. Trippz is SOC1 Type 2 and SOC2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant, so platforms and software vendors can embed tourist tax calculation without adding security or compliance risk of their own.

• Who uses Trippz for tourist tax?

  Trippz provides tourist tax data and calculation to travel platforms and property software across Europe, including Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia. The same infrastructure that powers stays booked through the biggest platforms in travel is available to any platform or software vendor through the API.