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Ley 7/2026 – The New Rules for Vacation Rentals in the Canary Islands (Update 2026)
Ley 7/2026: What owners, buyers and property managers must know now
On 1 August 2026, the Canary Islands introduced another major update to their vacation rental regulations. Ley 7/2026 refines and strengthens the framework established by Ley 6/2025 (LOSUTV), adding new obligations, restrictions and compliance requirements for owners, buyers and property managers.
This article summarises the key changes and explains their practical impact on the vacation rental market.
1. Occasional Tourist Use – Up to 15 Days per Year
Municipalities may now authorise occasional tourist stays of up to 15 days per year, even in purely residential areas.
This exception applies only during special events such as festivals, sports competitions or large local celebrations.
The limit is strict:
15 days per property per calendar year.
Exceeding this threshold automatically qualifies the activity as commercial tourist rental, requiring a full VV licence.
2. The New 31‑Day Rule – Short Stays Are Presumed Tourist Rentals
One of the most impactful changes:
Any rental of 31 days or less is now presumed to be a tourist rental, regardless of the guest’s purpose (work, study, temporary relocation).
To rebut this presumption, owners must provide a proper seasonal lease (Contrato de Temporada) that clearly states the reason for the stay (causa).
Owners are legally required to ask guests for this reason and document it.
Missing documentation or an unclear contract may result in fines ranging from €1,501 to €30,000.
3. Inheritance of VV Licences – Up to 10 Years to Transfer
If a property owner with an active VV licence passes away, heirs now have up to 10 years to transfer the licence into their name, provided:
the property remains within the family
the rental activity continues
This rule protects long‑standing family ownership, especially since VV licences are no longer freely transferable and often expire when a property is sold.
4. Cabildo Inspections & Licence Revocation – No More Grace Period
Island councils (Cabildos) must now review existing Declaraciones Responsables. Municipalities are required to revoke licences that fail to meet:
minimum legal requirements
documentation standards
municipal quotas (including the 10% limit)
urban planning conditions
The government’s objective is clear: reduce the number of VV licences and ensure strict compliance.
For buyers, this means Due Diligence is essential.
An existing licence is valuable — but only if it survives the new audits.
5. Moratorium on New VV Licences – Still Up to 5 Years
The freeze on new VV licences remains in place until each municipality updates its urban planning regulations (Planeamiento) to explicitly allow tourist use.
The moratorium may last up to five years, but can end earlier if a municipality completes its planning work.
On Fuerteventura, this means:
La Oliva: no new VV licences
Pájara: no new VV licences
Puerto del Rosario: pending planning updates
Antigua / Tuineje: also blocked until planning is revised
Strategic Impact for Owners, Buyers and Property Managers
Seasonal rentals are no longer a loophole.
Short stays under 31 days require strict documentation.
Existing VV licences increase in value, but must be thoroughly checked.
Due Diligence becomes critical when purchasing properties with licences.
Documentation standards must be upgraded to meet inspection requirements.
Checklist – What Owners Should Do Now
1. Update documentation
Seasonal contracts with clear causa
Proof of guest purpose
Proper guest information records
2. Verify VV licence compliance
Minimum requirements
Municipal quotas
Technical and urban planning conditions
Complete Declaración Responsable
3. Adjust rental strategy
LAU rentals for stays over 31 days
Tourist rentals only with VV licence
Occasional use only with municipal approval
4. Prepare for inheritance cases
Plan licence transfer within the 10‑year period
5. Reassess investment decisions
Prioritise properties with existing licences
Check zoning for new developments
Conclusion – Ley 7/2026 Significantly Tightens Regulations
Ley 7/2026 is a substantial operational tightening of vacation rental rules in the Canary Islands. It affects owners, buyers, managers, investors and developers alike.
With the 31‑day rule, the moratorium, stricter inspections and new documentation requirements, the regulatory environment becomes more complex — but also clearer.
For AMV clients, Due Diligence, contract clarity and proper documentation are now essential.
