Spain’s Tourism Boom: A €269bn Year Ahead
Spain's Tourism Boom: A €269bn Year Ahead, and What It Means for Property Owners
Spain is now the world's second most visited country, and tourism is forecast to add more than €269 billion to its economy in 2026. Here is what the latest figures show, and what they mean if you own, let or plan to buy property in Spain.
In brief
- Travel and tourism is forecast to contribute more than €269 billion to Spain's economy in 2026, up 4.1% on last year.
- Spain welcomed a record 96.8 million international visitors in 2025. Only France received more.
- Arrivals are still climbing: 70.4 million between January and August 2026, up 5.4%.
- More visitors doesn't mean fewer rules. Holiday-let owners and buyers still need the right approvals, registrations and tax arrangements in place.
A record year, with more to come
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Spain's travel and tourism sector will contribute more than €269 billion (around US$300 billion) to the national economy in 2026. That is 4.1% more than in 2025, and well ahead of the 2.7% growth expected for the Spanish economy as a whole.
It follows a record 2025, when the sector contributed €259 billion, equivalent to 15.3% of GDP, and supported 3.2 million jobs.
Tourism is outgrowing the wider economy
Expected growth in 2026, %
Second only to France
Spain received a record 96.8 million international tourists in 2025, 3.2% more than in 2024. That makes it the world's second most visited country, behind France with 102 million foreign visitors.
The growth has continued into 2026. Between January and August, 70.4 million international tourists arrived in Spain, 5.4% more than in the same period last year.
| Period | International visitors | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Spain, full year 2025 | 96.8 million | +3.2% on 2024 |
| Spain, January to August 2026 | 70.4 million | +5.4% year on year |
| France, full year 2025 (for comparison) | 102 million | World's most visited |
A powerful driver of economic growth, investment and job creation.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the WTTC, crediting close cooperation between Spain's government and private sector
What this means for you
More visitors means steady demand for holiday accommodation, including here on the Costa Blanca and in the Region of Murcia. But tourism growth has also put pressure on housing in popular areas, and Spain has tightened the rules on short-term lets in response. For most owners, demand isn't the problem. Compliance is.
If you already run a holiday let
Get your paperwork in order before next season. Since 1 July 2025, short-term lets advertised on online platforms need a registration number from Spain's national rental register, in addition to your regional tourist licence. Listings without a valid number can be removed.
Rental income must also be declared in Spain, even if you live abroad.
If you're thinking of buying to let
Check the building before you buy, not after. Since 3 April 2025, starting a new tourist let in a building with a community of owners requires the community's express approval by a three-fifths majority. The community statutes, local planning rules and regional licensing all need checking as part of your purchase.
Factor in tax from the start. Non-residents pay Spanish tax on rental income: 19% for residents of the EU or EEA, who can deduct expenses, and 24% on gross income for everyone else, including UK residents.
If you let long term and are tempted to switch
Holiday lets can look more attractive in a record year, but switching isn't a way around regulation. Tourist lets need a licence, registration and, in most buildings, community approval. October's housing decrees also brought new rules for seasonal and room rentals, and their status is still moving.
Read our breakdown of Spain's new housing decrees before deciding.
Need advice on a holiday let or a property purchase?
SGM Abogados advises buyers, sellers and landlords across the Costa Blanca and Murcia from our offices in Benijófar and San Javier. We can check what applies to your property before you commit.
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