How Is Tourist Rental Regulated in Menorca?
The Balearic Islands have some of the strictest tourist rental regulations in Europe. Since February 2022, a moratorium on new ETV licences has been in effect across the Balearic Islands (Decreto Ley 3/2022), and as of April 2026 it has not been lifted — the Consell Insular de Menorca has not yet established the ceiling of tourist places required to resume issuing new licences. Additionally, Decreto Ley 4/2025 (April 2025) permanently prohibits new tourist accommodation in multi-family buildings (apartments) throughout the archipelago.
This means that for most properties, the only path to an ETV licence is purchasing a property that already holds one. New licence applications are currently suspended.
At Palliser Law Firm, we have extensive experience advising property owners on the legal requirements for tourist rental in Menorca. Our services focus on pre-purchase due diligence to verify existing licences, licence transfers when buying a property with an ETV, compliance for current licence holders, and representation in sanction proceedings.
What Is an ETV Licence?
The Estancia Turística en Vivienda (ETV) licence is the legal authorisation required to market a residential property for tourist accommodation in the Balearic Islands.
Eligibility Requirements
Not all properties in Menorca qualify for an ETV licence. Key requirements include:
- The property must be in a zone designated for tourist rental by the applicable urban planning regulations
- The property must have a valid habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad)
- The property must meet specific quality and safety standards (fire safety, accessibility, minimum room sizes)
- Community of owners approval may be required for apartments
- Since Decreto Ley 4/2025, new ETV licences are permanently prohibited in multi-family buildings (apartments) throughout the Balearic Islands — only detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses are eligible for new licences
Application Process
Important: New ETV licence applications are currently suspended under the moratorium in effect since 2022. The process below applies when applications resume, or when transferring an existing licence with a property purchase.
- Feasibility assessment — we verify whether your property is eligible before you invest in the application
- Documentation preparation — gathering all required certificates and declarations
- Application submission to the Consell Insular de Menorca
- Follow-up and liaison with the authorities until the licence is granted
- Registration on the official tourism registry
What Are the Ongoing Compliance Requirements?
Holding an ETV licence brings ongoing obligations:
- Annual renewal of insurance and safety certificates
- Tourist tax collection (Impuesto de Turismo Sostenible) — currently €2 per person per night for holiday rental homes in high season (May-October), with a 25% discount in low season and a 75% discount from the 9th night onwards
- Guest registration via the SES.Hospedajes platform (mandatory since December 2024, replacing the old Parte de viajeros system) — 21 data fields required per guest within 24 hours of arrival
- Platform compliance — ensuring your listing displays the correct licence number
- Municipal regulations — noise, waste management, and community rules
What Recent Regulatory Changes Affect Rental Owners?
The Balearic Islands government has progressively tightened tourist rental regulations. Key developments:
- Decreto Ley 3/2022 — moratorium on new ETV licences across the Balearic Islands, in effect since February 2022 and not yet lifted in Menorca
- Decreto Ley 4/2025 (April 2025) — permanently prohibits new tourist places in multi-family buildings; increases maximum fines to €500,000 for very serious infractions; strengthens platform verification requirements
- SES.Hospedajes (December 2024) — new centralised guest registration system replacing the old Parte de viajeros, requiring 21 data fields per guest
- Ongoing discussions about the definitive ceiling of tourist places (techo de plazas) for Menorca
We keep our clients informed of all regulatory changes and help them adapt their operations to remain compliant.
How Can Palliser Help With Your Tourist Rental Licence?
- Licence feasibility assessment before purchase
- Full ETV licence application management
- Compliance audits for existing rental properties
- Representation in case of inspections or sanctions
- Contract drafting for rental agreements
- Tax compliance for rental income (coordinated with our tax advisory team)
Related Services
- Property Management — year-round legal oversight for your rental property when you’re not on the island.
- Non-Resident Tax Advisory — rental income triggers specific tax obligations. We handle your quarterly filings and annual declarations.
- Construction & Renovation — adapting your property for rental? We manage building permits and compliance.