Holiday Rentals in the Marina Alta: Tighter Rules, Strong Demand — Is Your Property Covered?

If you own a property in Dénia, Jávea, or anywhere else in the Marina Alta and you're renting it out to holidaymakers — or thinking about it — this week's topic matters to you directly. The rules around short-term rentals in the region have tightened considerably, and the registry numbers tell the story.

What's changed

Since Decree-Law 9/2024 came into force, the regional government (Generalitat Valenciana) has stepped up enforcement of tourist-use housing (VUT) rules. Over 18,000 properties were struck from the regional register in 2025 alone, mostly for missing cadastral references, incorrect tax IDs, or lacking the certificate confirming the owners' community doesn't prohibit tourist use — and further review phases are underway. The upshot: according to INE data reported in February 2026, the Comunidad Valenciana ended November 2025 with 48,411 registered tourist properties, down 25% year-on-year — one of the steepest drops in Spain (the national figure fell 12.4%).

If your property is fully compliant, this isn't necessarily bad news — less unlicensed competition, and a more professional market overall. But if you're buying with holiday rental income in mind, or already renting without every document in order, the exposure is real. Serious infractions — operating without a valid declaration, subletting by the room, failing to renew the five-year registration — can carry fines of up to €600,000, and owners remain liable even when a management company runs the day-to-day.

What the numbers show locally

Demand, meanwhile, remains solid. In Dénia, the most recent figures (September 2025–August 2026) show an average nightly rate of €145, 61% occupancy, and typical annual revenue around €33,000 per property — with rates up 11.4% over the year even as the number of listings grew by 28%. In Jávea, pool villas command noticeably higher rates, especially in July and August. Industry estimates put gross yields in the area at roughly 5–7%, but net returns — after management fees (15–25% of revenue), cleaning, maintenance and tax — typically come in at a third to half of that. For non-resident owners, there's also non-resident income tax to factor in: 19% on net profit for EU/EEA residents, 24% on gross income (no deductions allowed) for everyone else, filed via Modelo 210.

Why this matters to us at Blue Med Services

We're seeing more and more owners — often overseas buyers — fall for a villa with holiday rental income in mind, without first checking whether a licence is realistically achievable, whether the owners' community allows it, or whether the real numbers actually support the purchase price. That's exactly why our 360º Diagnosis always includes that legal and market check before you sign: not just “can this be rented out?” but “should it be, and under what conditions?” A property that's properly documented, well presented and positioned for the right guest performs far better than one that's simply listed.

If you own a property here and want to know whether it's genuinely ready for holiday letting — or you're weighing up buying one with that in mind — let's talk. We can run a 360º Diagnosis before you make any decision.

Best regards,

Leticia Castellote

+34 636 168 306  ·  www.bluemedservices.net