How much does it cost to start renting a flat to tourists? A realistic start-up budget
The licence is free. What costs money is getting the flat ready: bed linen, equipment, safety, photos and, sometimes, air conditioning. Between €800 and €4,000 depending on where you start from.
Reviewed on 22 September 2026 · By the team at Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional, more than ten years managing holiday rentals · Markdown version · Versión en español
Short answer: the Junta de Andalucía's tourist licence costs nothing. The real expense is preparing the flat: if it is already furnished and has air conditioning, you can start with €800-1,500; if you have to buy climate control, mattresses or appliances, the figure rises to €3,000-4,000. In a normal flat it is recovered with the first four to eight weeks of high season.
What is mandatory and how much does it cost?
| Item | Why | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Registration with the Andalusian Tourism Registry | Without it you cannot advertise | €0 (if a manager processes it, some charge; we do not) |
| Association certificate authorising tourist use | Required by the Junta since 2025 | €0-60 (some administrators charge for the certificate) |
| First-aid kit, extinguisher and smoke detector | Mandatory by decree | €60-120 |
| Complaint forms and sign | Mandatory | €0-15 |
| Air conditioning in bedrooms and living room (fixed or portable; fans do not count) | Mandatory if you open between May and August | €0 if already there; €600-1,200 per installed split (what we recommend) or €250-400 per portable unit |
| Beds of legal size (80×190 single, 135×190 double) and 18 cm mattresses | Mandatory | €0 if they comply; €250-500 per bed if not |
What is not mandatory but needed for it to work?
- Two complete sets of bed linen and towels per place: while one is in the washing machine, the other is on the bed. €250-500 for a 4-place flat.
- Full kitchenware: plates, glasses, cutlery and pots for double the places, coffee maker, toaster, microwave. €150-300.
- Wi-Fi: the guest takes it for granted. €25-35/month.
- Television with channels or apps. €0-300.
- Code lock or key box: to get in without anyone waiting. €40 (key box) to €250 (smart lock).
- Professional photo shoot: it is what sells the listing most. €120-250, or included if the manager does it.
- Small repairs and painting: a guest forgives old, not broken. Highly variable.
What do you not need to buy?
Expensive decoration, designer crockery or five-star hotel sheets. A guest values cleanliness, everything working and a comfortable bed; the rest adds little. Nor do you need to replace furniture in good condition for looking "old": it shows in the photos and the price reflects it.
How long does it take to recover?
A well-located 4-place flat leaves the owner about €1,100-1,200 a month on average over the year, with peaks of more than double in July and August. A €2,000 set-up is recovered in summer in a month and a half; if you start in November, allow four or five months.
And the expenses that come afterwards?
The fixed ones (association fees, electricity, water, internet, IBI, insurance) and replacements are explained in How much would my flat really earn?. The manager, if there is one, charges no fee: they charge a percentage of what comes in, so a month without bookings is a month without commission.