HOLIDAY HOME IN TENERIFE

Owning a holiday home in Tenerife or a tourist apartment is interesting, easy, and above all, fun.

Flying to Tenerife and arriving at your own place feels like coming home – that’s fun. Convenience comes from not having to book accommodations, and investment value is always a factor that pays off in some way.
Although the terms “holiday home” and “tourist apartment” are often used interchangeably, they are legally distinct categories. This means different regulations and obligations for owners and users.

The new law, commonly referred to as the Holiday Home Law, is currently under review in the Canarian Parliament. It explicitly prohibits converting a holiday home (regulated under Decree 113/2015) into another type of tourist rental, such as a tourist apartment, which falls under Law 2/2013.

Definitions

The Canarian Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports defines these accommodations as follows:
Tourist Apartment is a non-hotel accommodation consisting of units equipped with the necessary facilities for storing, preparing, and consuming food.
Holiday Home (Vivienda Vacacional – VV) is a furnished and fully equipped private home, meeting the requirements of the Holiday Home Regulations of the Canary Islands, and offered through tourism channels for short-term vacation rental in exchange for payment.

Key Differences

At first glance, holiday homes and tourist apartments may seem similar, but there are fundamental differences:

🔹 Holiday Homes (VV)

• These are residential properties that are occasionally rented out.

🔹 Tourist Apartments

• These are specifically designed and exclusively intended for tourist stays.

✔ Both require regulation: Owners must obtain a license from the local municipality or autonomous government.

Restrictions on Residential Land

Holiday homes fall into a hybrid category between residential and tourist use. Due to the growing number of holiday homes, new legislation was necessary to address the impact on local housing availability.

New Law Restricties
The law prohibits the complete conversion of residential buildings into tourist accommodations.
The goal is to protect access to housing for local residents.

Tourist Appartementen
These are strictly for short-term tourist rentals.
They are located in designated buildings or complexes entirely dedicated to tourism.

New Limitaties
Previously, there were no restrictions on how many holiday homes a municipality could have.
Under the new law, municipalities must implement urban planning policies.
Max. 10% of total municipal housing can be used for holiday rentals.
On the smaller “green islands” (La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro), the limit is 20%.

Tourist Classification

Another major difference is that tourist apartments are considered “non-hotel accommodations”, which means:
✔ They must meet specific safety and quality standards set by local laws.
✔ Holiday homes, on the other hand, are just residential properties that only need to meet basic habitability standards.

Star Ratings for Tourist Apartments

• Tourist apartments are officially categorized, similar to hotels with star ratings.
• This rating system reflects comfort level and services provided.
• Holiday homes are not officially classified under tourism regulations (instead, user reviews on platformsdetermine their reputation).

Summary

The difference between a holiday home and a tourist apartment in Tenerife mainly lies in legislation, usage, and permits. Here are the key differences.

1️⃣ Holiday Home (Vivienda Vacacional – VV)

✔ Definition:
A holiday home (Vivienda Vacacional – VV) is a private property that is rented out to tourists for short periods.

✔ Key Characteristics:

Private property: This can be a house, villa, bungalow, or apartment.
No hotel services: The owner does not provide hotel-like services such as reception, cleaning, or breakfast.
Individual rental: The owner can rent it out via Airbnb, Booking.com, or other platforms.
Permit required: The property must be registered with the authorities and meet certain requirements, such as a first aid kit and fire safety regulations.
Located outside tourist zones: In tourist areas, there are often restrictions on holiday homes.

✔ Who is it for?

• People who occasionally rent out their second home.
• Individuals who do not rely on the property as their main source of income.

2️⃣ Tourist Apartment (Apartamento Turístico)

✔ Definition:
A tourist apartment is a property within a tourist complex, specifically designed for holiday rentals.

✔ Key Characteristics:

Part of a tourist complex: Often located within hotels or vacation resorts.
Hotel-like services: Can offer reception, cleaning, and maintenance.
Managed by a tourism company: Rentals are often handled by a company that manages multiple units.
Permit required: Must comply with stricter regulations than a holiday home and be approved by the government.
Mainly in tourist areas: Such as Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, and Los Cristianos.

✔ Who is it for?

• Investors looking to buy an apartment in a tourist complex.
• Owners who do not manage their property themselves but rent it out through a tourism operator.

Comparison Table

Thinking About Renting Out Your Property in Tenerife?

Before you start, make sure to:
✔ Check if your property is in a tourist zone
✔ Understand which type of license is required
✔ Comply with local regulations to avoid fines

With the new regulations in place, owning and renting out a property in Tenerife can still be a great investment, but it’s essential to stay informed!

Guy Devos © Photography
Holiday Home in Tenerife ©

More NEWS can be read [HERE].

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