The Alicante City Council has taken decisive steps to control the tourist housing market, approving a two-year moratorium on issuing new licenses on December 19, 2024. The period is intended to serve to redefine the rules governing these facilities, in search of a balance between the needs of tourism and the quality of life of residents. The decision comes in response to growing public concerns, such as rising rental prices, displacement of residents from their neighborhoods and deterioration of neighborhood relations.

The moratorium will allow the city authorities to assess the current market situation and develop more detailed urban planning regulations. Among the proposals under consideration is limiting the location of tourist apartments in residential buildings. Currently, they can be located on any floor, including the first floor, but authorities are considering limiting them to upper floors or excluding certain areas of the city due to their high saturation.

Public register for greater transparency

In addition to the moratorium, the city government has begun work on establishing a public register of tourist housing. The registry will enable the identification of dwellings that operate in accordance with current regulations. Every citizen will have access to information about legal housing and the ability to report cases of premises that operate illegally.

The purpose of the registry is to provide greater transparency in the market, which will increase the confidence of tourists on the one hand and reduce unfair competition between operators on the other. In addition, it will make the work of inspection authorities, such as the Metropolitan Police, easier, as they will be able to more quickly identify apartments operating without proper licenses or violating standards set by regional regulations.

The registry is also expected to comply with the requirements of the October 16, 2024 ordinance, which establishes a Nationwide Digital Rental Information System. This system allows for the collection and exchange of data on short-term rentals throughout Spain, with the goal of creating more uniform rules for the management of this type of property.

Strengthened controls and more effective penalties

At the same time, the city has increased resources dedicated to inspecting tourist housing. The City Police's Urban Discipline Brigade and the newly-established Neighborhood Police regularly conduct inspections to detect units operating without a license. As a result of these activities, more than 100 violation protocols have already been issued for apartments that did not meet the requirements for operation. Sanctions include suspension of operations and the possibility of fines by regional authorities.

The City Council has also begun procedures to assume direct authority over the imposition and enforcement of fines. Such a change will allow for more efficient management of funds from fines, which can be allocated to initiatives that support residents.

Public reaction and residents' demands

Despite the changes being made, the topic of tourist housing continues to stir up a lot of emotion among Alicante residents. Last weekend, some 300 people took part in a demonstration organized by the “Alicante, dónde vas” platform and the Ecologists in Action organization. The protesters demanded stricter restrictions on the development of short-term rentals and greater support for communal housing and long-term rentals.

This was the third demonstration organized in recent months, demonstrating the growing public pressure on city authorities to prioritize the needs of residents in the face of a booming tourism sector. Among the demands of the participants were tax breaks for landlords renting apartments on a long-term basis and incentives to invest in housing for permanent residents.

Balance between tourism and residents' lives

With the measures being introduced, Alicante aims to create a more sustainable tourism model that recognizes its importance as a key economic sector on the one hand, and protects the interests of the local community on the other. A public registry of tourist dwellings, a two-year moratorium, and a strengthening of control measures are steps toward greater transparency, legality and harmony in the city.

City officials stress that the success of these initiatives depends on cooperation between the administration, tourism operators and citizens. Alicante wants to be an example of responsible tourism management that puts the needs of residents and social balance first.