Sitges Tourist licences to be transferable again

If you’ve been watching the twists in the Sitges tourist licences saga, the plot has just thickened — and the happy ending may finally be in view. Licences are poised to restore full transferability, subject to formal publication. There is still a lot of confusion about this, with reports that even some employees of the OAC are giving out outdated information. So here is the lowdown as we understand it:

From blocked transfers to final judicial confirmation

A few years back, Sitges took a hard line. Its HUT ordinance explicitly prohibited inter vivos transfers — in other words, if you sold your home, the tourist licence didn’t go with it. The aim was to stop licences becoming speculative assets.

But owners fought back. In 2023, Catalonia’s Superior Court (TSJC) struck down the ban, ruling it an overreach. Sitges appealed to the Spanish Supreme Court — and just recently, that appeal was rejected. The Supreme Court confirmed the TSJC’s ruling, annulling the transfer ban. Sitges even tried one last clarification request, but that too was denied. The case will now return to the TSJC for formalities.

So legally, the prohibition on transferring licences is gone. The final step is publication of the ruling in the BOPB (Boletín Oficial de la Provincia de Barcelona). Lawyers say this should be done by December 2025. Once the ruling appears in the gazette, it is effective.

The renewal schedule: 2028 and every five years

Alongside the court saga, another change is looming: renewal. Current guidance suggests that in 2028, all existing licences will need to be renewed, and then again every five years thereafter. This is part of Catalonia’s broader move to put tourist housing under rolling review, ensuring compliance with urban planning goals and housing needs.

So while transferability will soon be restored, owners should also prepare for periodic check-ins on their licences.

Licence cap: Sitges under its ceiling

Sitges also operates under a licence cap. The town’s ordinance sets a maximum of 9% of total dwellings that can carry a tourist licence. Right now, Sitges is around that ceiling. It’s worth noting that, unlike Barcelona where outright bans on tourist rentals have been discussed, Sitges’ mayor has rejected the idea of banning them. Instead, she has emphasised that her goal is to keep them properly regulated so that tourism and housing can co-exist sustainably. It seems then that most or all current licenses will be renewed in 2028.

What this means for owners and buyers

• Transfers back on track. Once the ruling is published, HUT licences will once again pass with property sales.
• Renewal obligations ahead. From 2028, expect renewals every five years. Factor this into long-term plans.
• Quotas still apply. Even with transferability restored, Sitges’ 9% cap shapes the market. New licences are unlikely if the ceiling is ever reached.
• Watch the gazette. Until the ruling is officially published, nothing changes in practice. Publication is the green light.

Bottom line

The legal tide has turned: Sitges can no longer block licence transfers. The Supreme Court has spoken, and once the decision hits the official gazette, owners will regain the ability to sell their properties with licences intact. Add in the upcoming renewal regime and existing quota system, and Sitges’ tourist rental market is entering a new, more predictable — if tightly managed — chapter.

And importantly, local politics in Sitges are on the side of regulation, not prohibition. The mayor has made clear she does not want to ban tourist rentals outright, distancing Sitges from Barcelona’s debates, and instead aims to strike a balance through rules and oversight.

Finally, if you buy a home that already has a HUT licence, remember that you must formally transfer the licence into your own name at the Property Registry. This step ensures the licence is valid for you as the new owner and avoids complications down the line. Current information suggests that once the new rules are published in the gazette, this should be a formality, but make sure your lawyer walks you through the process.

Disclaimer: All information supplied is for general information only. Whilst every effort has been made to verify data, no responsibility is taken for any actions taken based on the information in this article. Always consult your own lawyer before making important purchases.