While Spain’s Rental Registration Number (NRA) regulation is national in scope, its enforcement relies heavily on local and regional governments. Each autonomous community—and in many cases, individual municipalities—has the authority to oversee the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of NRA compliance within their jurisdiction. Understanding this localized structure is key to grasping how the regulation will be applied across the country. Learn more about NRA Number Spain.

Local governments are responsible for processing NRA applications, maintaining regional property registries, and setting specific compliance criteria. For instance, while the NRA itself is a national requirement, each region defines what documentation is necessary, how the application is submitted, and whether additional inspections or community approvals are needed. This means that a property owner in Andalusia may face a different process than one in the Balearic Islands or Catalonia.

Enforcement is also carried out at the local level. Municipal inspection teams and housing authorities will conduct spot checks, investigate complaints, and issue fines for non-compliant properties. Some cities, especially those grappling with housing shortages or overtourism—such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and San Sebastián—are expected to enforce the rules particularly rigorously. These municipalities may also introduce zoning laws that limit the number of short-term rental licenses or restrict them to certain neighborhoods.

One of the primary tools local governments will use is data-sharing with online rental platforms. Under the new rules, platforms are required to ensure that only properties with a valid NRA can be listed. Local authorities will monitor these listings and can request takedowns of unregistered properties. In some cases, they may also require platforms to submit periodic data on hosts and bookings, enabling them to track activity and detect potential violations.

Public awareness and community engagement are additional components of local enforcement. Several town halls have begun issuing guidance and running information campaigns to educate both residents and landlords on how the NRA system works. Hotlines and digital portals for filing complaints about illegal rentals are also being developed to empower residents to help enforce the law.

The overall goal of local enforcement is to ensure that the short-term rental market is safe, transparent, and balanced with local housing needs. While the NRA provides a standardized framework, it is the local governments that breathe life into the regulation—ensuring that it serves the interests of both tourists and the communities they visit.

For property owners, this means staying up to date not only on national rules but also on local legislation and enforcement practices. Collaborating with municipal offices and complying with their specific requirements will be essential for long-term rental success.