One-Year Suspension Takes Effect Today

The Castelldefels City Council has implemented a temporary suspension on the granting of new licences for tourist accommodations, effective Monday 19th October 2026. The measure, approved by the Local Government Board on 16th October, was published today in the Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona (BOPB) and will remain in force for a maximum of one year, until 19th October 2027. This action is taken under Catalan urban planning legislation and follows technical and legal reports issued by the municipality on 15th October 2026.

Types of Accommodations Affected

The suspension applies to new applications for:

  • Hotels, apartment hotels, hostels, and guesthouses
  • Tourist apartments
  • Tourist-use dwellings and shared homes
  • Campsites, motorhome parking areas, and similar outdoor accommodations
  • Unique accommodations

It covers building permits, changes of use, major renovations, expansions, and activity notifications that create new tourist accommodation spaces. It also includes regularization procedures for unlicensed existing establishments.

The measure aims to manage tourism pressure and ensure sustainable urban development, according to municipal technical reports.

Exceptions to the Rule

The suspension does not apply to:

  • Licences already granted and in effect before 19th October 2026
  • Legally extended licences
  • Projects covered by valid urban planning certificates that confirm viability
  • Applications already formally in processing before the suspension took effect
  • Projects with existing municipal authorisation for conditioning works

The full text of the agreement is available in the Butlletí Oficial de la Província de Barcelona (BOPB).

What This Means for You

Property developers and investors planning new tourist accommodations in Castelldefels must pause applications until at least October 2027. Anyone with an existing licence or a formally submitted application before 19th October 2026 is unaffected. For official guidance, consult the Castelldefels City Council website.

Primary sources: bop.diba.cat. Reported by castelldefels.org, Castelldefels.