In 2024, Madrid significantly stepped up efforts to regulate tourist apartments, aiming to protect residential housing and curb the growth of short-term rentals.
Led by the Agencia de Actividades, the municipal government has focused on encouraging owners to return tourist apartments to residential use through increased inspections, fines, and faster licence processing.
A total of 251 irregular tourist apartments were regularised in 2024, up from 138 in 2023, with an additional 42 apartments closed down. Inspections surged by nearly 90%, from 1,968 in 2023 to 3,723, resulting in 405 tourist apartments ordered to cease operations. Additionally, 92 fines were imposed on those operating without the necessary licences.
The licensing process has also become more efficient, with a 15.3% increase in residential licences issued and a 27% reduction in processing times since 2019.
Citizen complaints have decreased by more than 3%, suggesting that the increased enforcement has had a positive effect. Complaints from resident associations dropped by 17%, though most complaints now relate to construction disturbances.
The newly approved Plan RESIDE, which aims to relocate tourist apartments outside of residential areas, is expected to further tighten regulations once implemented in 2025.
