Madrid Redefines Flexible Accommodation: New Tourism Law Recognises it as Official Accommodation and Raises Standards

The ecosystem of the Flexible Accommodation The Community of Madrid is on the verge of a fundamental change. The regional administration has opened the draft of its new Tourism Law to public consultation, a regulation that, for the first time, will integrate Tourist Use Dwellings (VUTs) into the official category of tourist accommodation, removing them from the regulatory limbo in which they were found.

This explicit recognition is the cornerstone of a reform that seeks to regulate the sector, raise its quality standards, and provide greater legal certainty for both operators and users. Far from being a mere label, this change involves the creation of a specific regulatory framework that will differentiate and govern the various realities of Flexible Accommodation.

One of the most important distinctions introduced by the draft bill is the differentiation between holiday lets located in residential buildings and those situated in buildings for exclusive tourist use. This segmentation will allow for regulations tailored to each typology, seeking a balance between economic activity and neighbourly coexistence. It will be coordinated with existing municipal regulations, such as the capital's Plan Reside.

The new law not only focuses on classification, but also on Quality and professionalisation. More demanding requirements will be established for operators. Flexible Accommodation, which must guarantee service standards and living conditions superior to the current ones. This commitment to quality is a clear sign that the future of the sector lies in a more professionalised and sustainable model.

The regional government's ultimate goal is to build a Balanced and competitive tourism model, offering diverse and high-quality accommodation. By specifically recognising and regulating Flexible Accommodation, Madrid seeks not only to combat illegal supply, but also to consolidate a sector that is key to its economy, providing it with a clear legal framework adapted to the realities of the 21st century.

The next edition Vitur Summit 2026 will take place in Malaga on Thursdays 13 and 14 May and will once again be the meeting point for operators, investors and companies in the sector to boost their business, establish strategic alliances with the different agents involved and gain access to all the latest news, trends and opportunities in the sector from leading speakers and companies.

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