Temporary accommodation booking changes in Barcelona

Destination Services update — Since 1 January 2026, a new regulation governing temporary rentals in Catalonia, Law 11/2025, has come into force, making this type of accommodation significantly more regulated. These changes affect temporary accommodation bookings in Barcelona and across Catalonia and are already having an impact on booking requirements, availability and pricing. Organisations supporting relocating employees into the region should be aware of the revised documentation requirements and changing market conditions.

New requirement for temporary accommodation bookings

To proceed with a temporary accommodation booking, it is now mandatory to provide formal justification of the temporary nature of the stay, signed by the employee’s company. This justification must clearly support the reason for the booking under the new regulatory framework.
It is important to note that searching for a permanent home is no longer considered a valid reason for temporary accommodation. This means that justification based on home search activity can no longer be accepted for this type of booking.

Supporting documentation

In addition to the justification letter, some accommodation providers may also request supporting documentation to confirm the employee’s place of origin and residential status. This may include a return ticket to the destination city in Catalonia, whether by air, train or bus, together with a recent certificate of residence or registration in the country or city of origin.
Where formal registration in the country of origin does not exist, providers may accept alternative documents. These can include a recent proof of address such as a utility bill, bank statement or other official document, a valid rental agreement or residence certificate, or another official document showing the residential address.

In general, supporting documents must be recent, usually issued within the past two to three months, and must clearly show the name and address of the holder.

Market conditions in Catalonia

These regulatory changes are also affecting the temporary accommodation market more broadly. Some providers have temporarily suspended operations in Catalonia while they adapt to the new requirements, while others have ceased activity in the region altogether.
As a result, availability has reduced and prices have increased by approximately 25 to 35 percent. Many providers are also restructuring their offers by separating the rental agreement, which may include estimated utilities and community fees, from a second contract covering additional services such as cleaning, laundry, linen supply and household maintenance.

Current approach

Santa Fe Relocation is currently reviewing the situation with trusted partners in Barcelona and across Catalonia in order to assess each request on a case-by-case basis. Given the reduced availability and rising prices, flexibility around accommodation options will be increasingly important when planning moves into the region.

Please get in touch with us for further information or clarification.

Patricia Ruiz
Head of Relocation, Spain
Santa Fe Relocation
patricia.ruiz@santaferelo.com

Esther Lozano
Southern Europe Sales & Marketing Director
Santa Fe Relocation
esther.lozano@santaferelo.com

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