March 2020 archive: accommodation closures during COVID-19
In March 2020, during Spain’s first COVID-19 state of alarm, exceptional measures affected the opening of accommodation. This article preserves questions published at the time; it does not describe a current closure obligation.
Tourist accommodation and compulsory closure: the questions raised at the time
As holiday apartments became more popular, many property owners entered the sector, converting homes into accommodation for guests staying by the night.
Unlike conventional residential rentals, tourist accommodation was affected directly by a new measure requiring properties to close until the state of alarm ended.
Owners and guests with questions about the effects of the measure were given the following answers in the original article:
Who did the closure affect? All tourist and short-stay accommodation, including apartments, campsites, caravans and similar accommodation. Operators of these types of premises were instructed to close to the public.
Did it apply in every autonomous community? Yes, across Spain. However, exceptions could apply in particular regions, so the article advised checking the regional position separately.
When was closure required? Immediately if there were no guests to look after, and in any event within a maximum of 7 calendar days from the rule taking effect. This meant that from 26 March 2020 holiday accommodation was to be closed.
The duration of those measures depended on the provisions and extensions adopted in 2020. The timing anticipated in this article should not be used to interpret current restrictions.
Were tax obligations postponed? The original article stated that deadlines for declarations and self-assessments were not suspended and remained unchanged.
The information above is retained as an archive of the situation in March 2020. For a current activity, consult the rules and authorisations now applicable at its location.
If you have any questions, you can ask us.
If you are considering operating accommodation in Madrid today, consult the guide to CIVUT and preliminary checks.
