Royal Decree-law 29/2026
Spanish October 2026 housing decree addressing residential leases, tourist-flat property tax and SOCIMI taxation.
Royal Decree-law 29/2026 grants Spanish councils powers over tourist-flat property taxation. The housing package appeared in the official gazette on 7 October 2026.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026
Which housing changes take effect nationally, and which still require local action?
Timeline for Royal Decree-law 29/2026
Spain lets towns tax tourist-flat owners
Nomads & CommunitiesBackground
Royal Decree-law 29/2026 combines Spanish housing protections, rental rules and taxation. Its provisions address the use of residential property and the supply of affordable homes. The package spans national legislation and municipal powers, including local property taxation. Different provisions have their own conditions and commencement rules, so the general start date does not activate every measure at once.
The decree operates across distinct tax systems. IBI is a municipal property tax governed by the Local Finances Law and based on cadastral values. SOCIMIs are listed property-investment companies with a special statutory tax regime. Their treatment of retained profits differs from a council's charge on an individual property.
Local surcharges require council action
Royal Decree-law 29/2026, published on 7 October 2026, gave councils a conditional power to surcharge tourist flats through IBI. Article 8 requires a local ordinance and applies in designated stressed housing markets. Its upper ceiling reaches 150% for qualifying owners of four or more tourist properties.
Under the October text, The National power did not itself impose a uniform surcharge on every tourist flat. Municipal action and the decree's conditions determine its use. The instrument's broader housing and tax provisions also have separate commencement rules, which must be checked for the measure concerned.
Local surcharges require council action
What does its 25% SOCIMI levy apply to?
How does it allow councils to surcharge tourist flats?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.