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.

Continue reading

Madrid Redefines Flexible Accommodation: New Tourism Law Recognises it as Official Accommodation and Raises Standards
The Community of Madrid has launched one of the most far-reaching reforms for the Flexible Accommodation sector. The new draft Tourism Law will recognise for the first time the Tourist Use Dwellings (VUT) as a type of official tourist accommodation, establishing a framework that seeks professionalisation, quality and greater legal security.
Portugal Ventures Accelerates Flexible Accommodation Innovation with 1.5 Million Investment in Feel Sampa
Portugal's tourism ecosystem gets a new boost. Portugal Ventures has injected €1.5 million in the startup Feel Sampa, a technology platform designed to revolutionise the management of Flexible Accommodation. This strategic investment aims to consolidate Portugal as an innovation hub in the hospitality industry.
The Short Stay Rental Challenge in 2026: How European Regulation is Filtering the Professional Market
On 5 February 2026, the European Parliament adopted key legislative proposals to tackle the housing crisis on the continent.
Andalusia, Queen of Europe: Flexible Accommodation Conquers the Lead Ahead of the Côte d'Azur
The Andalusian region has been crowned as the most demanded destination in Europe for Flexible Accommodation, surpassing iconic locations such as the Côte d'Azur or Catalonia. With a record 26.6 million overnight stays in 2025, the sector is proving to be a key economic pillar, dominated by small owners and in the midst of adapting to a new regulatory framework.
The Inexhaustible Power of PBSA: Student Residences Consolidate as Spain's Star Flexible Accommodation Asset
Far from being a passing fad, investment in student housing (PBSA) in Spain confirms its long-term appeal. The sector's major operators point to structurally solid demand and a shortage of quality supply as the drivers of a segment that continues to attract institutional capital and defy any signs of drying up.
Welcomer Breaks into the Market: A New Operator is Born to Capitalise on the Seasonal Rental Boom
Flexible Accommodation in Spain welcomes a new specialised player. Welcomer, led by Axel Edric Capriles, is born to focus on the growing niche of seasonal rentals, a segment driven by new work models and increasing restrictions on traditional tourist rentals, seeking to offer high quality solutions for medium-term stays.