Converting commercial premises into tourist accommodation in Madrid

Can commercial premises be converted into tourist accommodation? Feasibility must be checked before buying or renovating. It depends on the location, permitted planning use, building and technical conditions. Changing premises to residential use and authorising an accommodation business are separate matters: obtaining one does not automatically establish the other.

In Madrid, check municipal planning rules, including Plan RESIDE, alongside regional tourism legislation. Decree 79/2014 has been amended since 2019; when preparing a project, start with the Community of Madrid’s official information and the conditions applicable to the specific address.

Plan RESIDE restricts the conversion of commercial premises into holiday lets in the historic centre. There is no blanket authorisation outside that area either: the zone, floor, access and conditions for establishing the use must be checked. Being physically able to adapt premises does not mean tourist operation is permitted.

Commission a preliminary assessment identifying the existing use, compatibility of the proposed use, required permissions and building works. Ask it to distinguish municipal, regional and owners’ community requirements. You can then make a decision about the asset with a budget and a specific administrative roadmap.

What to check before converting the premises

Once planning feasibility is confirmed, the project must address the applicable installations, habitability and safety conditions. The points below help prepare a review with a qualified professional; they are not an exhaustive list of requirements or a replacement for current legislation:

• Installations and utilities. Check heating, hot and cold water, available power and the condition of installations. The solution must be sized for the intended use and occupancy; simply adding equipment to premises that fail other conditions is not enough.
• Lighting and ventilation. Review every room and its relationship with the exterior. Assess bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and bathrooms separately, as well as whether the solutions in the project can actually be implemented.
• Fire protection. Identify equipment and its location, escape routes and necessary maintenance. Request a review of the whole arrangement rather than assuming that installing an extinguisher resolves every safety requirement.
• Emergency signage. Check which signs the property needs and whether they can be seen and understood during an incident. They must correspond to the actual exit route.
• Evacuation plans. Include the required plans and check that they correctly describe both the accommodation and the building. Review this documentation if the layout changes.

You must also review the layout, equipment, permissible capacity and information guests will receive. The 2026 regional amendment affects requirements and capacity: do not use figures from a 2019 guide to budget for a new project.

• Layout. The professional must check rooms, floor areas, ceiling heights and facilities for the project’s category. Calling it a “studio” does not exempt it from applicable conditions.
• Support and practical information. Define who handles incidents and prepare clear instructions on arrival, equipment use, emergencies and consideration for neighbours. Confirm what information must be provided before booking and during the stay.
• Equipment and complaints. Prepare the accommodation for the advertised use and check its facilities before opening. Also review information obligations and the applicable official complaints forms.
• Capacity. Determine occupancy from current legislation, usable floor area and the actual layout. Do not calculate it using the former 25 m² rule or simply by adding beds: capacity must be documented in the project and relevant procedures.
• Insurance and responsibilities. Identify the operator and check the required cover and a policy suitable for the activity. Review covered risks, limits and exclusions in writing, alongside the obligations of the owner and manager.
• Accessibility. Describe access, steps, lifts and interior conditions accurately. Guest information must match what visitors will find; ask the professional to check requirements affecting the works.

Certificate of Suitability for Tourist-Use Housing (CIVUT)

The Certificate of Suitability for Tourist-Use Housing (CIVUT) is issued by a competent qualified professional after inspecting the property. It certifies the requirements assigned to it by the legislation; it does not replace planning compatibility, a municipal licence or other authorisations.

The operator or their representative is responsible for submitting the responsible declaration. They must hold the required documentation and permissions supporting what they declare. Tourism and municipal procedures should be reviewed together; registration alone does not allow any commercial premises to open as accommodation.

The amendment published in April 2026 provides a transition regime for certain establishments already operating. Its application depends on the circumstances and changes in the event of substantial renovation. A new project must not assume that it has the same adaptation period as an existing activity.

If the project is feasible, also plan how it will be marketed and operated: accommodation category, tasks, costs, maintenance and guest support. This planning should accompany the renovation budget.

At Alehost, we can assess management of the asset and coordinate the information needed to define a proposal. Planning and technical feasibility must be established before committing to its operation.

Assess the asset before renovating

Tell us its location, condition and intended use so we can define the management scope. Explore building and accommodation management.