The Tarragona City Council is set to convene an extraordinary plenary session on 26 October to approve changes to Fiscal Ordinance number 14, which governs the Property Tax (IBI). This amendment will introduce a surcharge on residential properties designated for tourist accommodation.
The proposal, put forward by the Municipal Government, aims to implement the maximum surcharges permitted under new national legislation, which could reach up to 150% of the net tax amount. The initiative is designed to discourage the use of residential homes for tourism and encourage their return to the regular rental market.
“Housing is one of the main concerns of the public, and it is our duty as administrations to use all the tools at our disposal to facilitate access to it. This measure is not intended to raise more revenue but to incentivise the use of homes for living,”
Mascaró further emphasised, “Tarragona must be an attractive city for visitors, but it should primarily remain a place where people can live. Tourism and the right to housing must coexist, and taxation can help us find this balance.”
This initiative is part of the municipal policies aimed at improving access to housing and increasing the supply of affordable residential options in the city. In this context, the Municipal Government has already approved an IBI reduction for official protected housing and is working on new fiscal measures, such as a 95% discount on the Tax on Constructions, Installations and Works (ICIO) for the promotion of protected housing.
Additionally, measures related to the tax on the increase in the value of urban land (plusvalía) are being considered to prevent speculative practices. These actions complement the push for new social housing developments, which is a key strategic focus for the Municipal Government regarding housing.
“We are implementing a comprehensive strategy to increase the supply of affordable housing in Tarragona. Alongside the construction of new social homes and tax incentives for protected housing, we are now introducing this surcharge on tourist properties to prioritise residential use and help guarantee the right to housing for our citizens,”
