This guide is informational and not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a professional.
Since 2026, renting seasonally in Spain takes more than a good contract: it takes proving why the tenant is passing through. This guide explains, in plain language, what the law requires and how to keep every contract documented and archived.
What a seasonal contract is (and is not)
A seasonal rental is a home let for a short term —1 to 11 months— with a specific reason: to work, study or receive medical treatment away from home. It is not the tenant’s primary residence.
The key is not the duration but the reason (the real motive for the stay). A three-month contract for no reason is not seasonal. An eleven-month one for a work relocation is —if you can prove it—.
What changed with Law 11/2025 in Catalonia
Law 11/2025, in force since January 2026, tightens control of seasonal contracts in Catalonia. When the reason is not documented, the contract is presumed to be an ordinary five-year tenancy. And it penalises simulated seasonal contracts with fines of up to €900,000.
It is not only Catalonia: a national rule is on its way, pointing in the same direction.
The risk across Spain: requalification
Even outside Catalonia, the risk exists. If a judge concludes that a seasonal contract had no real reason, they can requalify it as a primary-residence tenancy under the LAU (the Urban Leases Act): a five-year minimum term, renewals and rent subject to caps. The flat is tied up for years.
How to document the reason, step by step
- Identify the real reason for the stay: work, studies or health.
- Request the document that proves it (see table).
- Reflect it in the contract with a clause stating the reason.
- Archive it with the contract, ready to show if ever asked.
Which document proves which reason
| Reason | Usual document |
|---|---|
| Work | Employment contract or company letter, relocation order. |
| Studies | Enrolment or admission letter from the institution. |
| Health | Medical certificate or appointment (this is sensitive data: handle it with care). |
The deposit: when and where
Besides the LAU deposit (one month rent), some regions require filing the contract and its documentation in a regional registry. In Catalonia, for example, with Incasòl. Always keep the deposit receipt.
Checklist: a well-documented seasonal contract
- Reason identified (work, studies or health).
- Document that proves it, collected.
- Reason clause in the contract.
- Deposit and regional filing, where applicable.
- Tenant identity and income, verified.
- Everything archived and easy to find.
Frequently asked questions
Is it enough to state work reasons in the contract?
Not enough. You must be able to prove that reason with a document. A clause without backing does not protect the contract.
What if the tenant is foreign?
The same: identity, income and a documented reason. Many seasonal tenants are paid outside Spain; verify all the same.
Does this replace my lawyer?
No. Documenting and archiving is a routine task; complex cases still need a lawyer. Tempora prepares and archives the documentation with templates pending partner-law-firm review.