What is the Ventanilla Única (One-Stop-Shop) for temporary and holiday rentals in Europe?
European Initiative
The Ventanilla Única is an initiative promoted by the European Union (EU), whose main objective is to harmonise and simplify regulations related to short-stay rentals in Member States. This proposal aims to make life easier for both hosts and digital platforms, ensuring efficient compliance with local, national and European regulations.
Initiators of the Proposal
- The European Commission, through its focus on the European Digital Agenda and the Services Directive, led the initiative.
- Collaboration with national and local authorities, digital platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo, as well as homeowners' association.
Implementation in Spain
Implementation Phases
- First steps: In 2022, Spain participated in the initial discussions to develop a common European system, focused on digitising administrative procedures and reducing the bureaucratic burden.
- Entry into force: 2 January 2025, although its effects will start to apply progressively from 1 July 2025.
Features of the Ventanilla Única in Spain
- Centralised registration: Hosts can register their properties at national level, regardless of the Autonomous Community in which they are located.
NOTE: However, accommodation marketed for tourism purposes and subject to the corresponding Autonomous Community regulation must also comply with the registration and licensing obligations established by the corresponding Autonomous Community.
- Tax simplification: Digital platforms are required to report hosts' income and data directly to the tax authorities.
- Regulatory compliance: Automatic verification of licences, quality and safety standards established by the autonomous communities.
- Data protection: Guarantee of the security of the hosts' personal and fiscal data.
Main Objectives
- Simplify administrative procedures: Facilitate the registration and compliance process for hosts in a single digital portal.
- Improve transparency: Ensure that all tourist rental properties are registered and comply with regulations.
- Promote fairness in the market: Ensure that all platforms and hosts comply with the same rules.
- Combat tax evasion: Through mandatory reporting of revenues generated, contributing to increased tax collection.
Benefits for Spain
The implementation of the Single Window brings numerous benefits for Spain, including:
- Better management of tourism, a key sector for the Spanish economy.
- Reducing tensions in tourist destinations affected by overcrowding and illegal renting.
- A unified tool that fosters collaboration between autonomous communities, the central government and digital platforms.
Summary
The Ventanilla Única for temporary and holiday rentals in Europe is an EU initiative that harmonises and simplifies regulations. It provides hosts with a central platform for registration and compliance, promotes transparency and tax collection, and fosters a fair market. In Spain, the system helps to improve tourism management and combat illegal rentals.