The ETV license(Estancia Turísticaen Viviendas) is the official permit for vacation rentals in Mallorca. The Ministry of Tourism of the Balearic Islands (Consellería de Turisme) is responsible for this. The ETV license is personal and property-related and is linked to the reference number and the cadastral entry (Referencia Catastral) of the property.

Since December 2024, there has been a new regulation that obliges owners of vacation properties to register their property, which has a license for tourist rental (vacation rental), with a so-called single register. This gives you a special registration number that must be passed on to the companies marketing the property. All rental properties receive an additional identification number for tourist rentals, which must be entered in the land register. In addition to the application form, a copy of the rental license, the cadastral reference and the CRU/IDUFIR number must be submitted. The digital certificate is also required.
This regulation comes into force on July 1, 2025.

The "Cédula de habitabilidad" is a document that certifies that a home, commercial space or residential building meets the minimum requirements in terms of dimensions, hygiene and facilities suitable for accommodating people. It is a document required for the occupation of the dwelling, commercial space or residential building, which is why utilities such as water, electricity, gas or any other energy or telecommunications product cannot be definitively contracted if there is no valid cédula de habitabilidad or equivalent document.

Types of cédula de habitabilidad:

• First Occupancy:
  Issued when work has been performed on new construction, additions, alterations, and total or partial renovations involving more than 60% distribution, consolidation, restoration, or change of use.
• Renewal:
  Issued when the cédula has expired (cédulas expire after ten years) and none of the requirements for applying for a first-time cédula are met.
• Carencia:
  Issued when the dwelling, land or residential building does not have any of the previous certificates and it is proved that the building was completed before March 1, 1987, that there are no urban deteriorations and that since that date no works or actions have been carried out that are listed in the concept of first occupancy certificate for habitability.
• Duplicate:
  This can be requested as long as the certificate has not expired and no work or measures have been carried out that are listed in the context of the initial certificate.

Very clear answer - no. The Cédula de Habitabilidad is a document that is a prerequisite for some things and helpful for others, but it is perfectly possible to buy or own a property that does not have a cédula and still be happy with it.

A current and valid cédula is a prerequisite for the initial connection of a property to the public electricity and water supply, and without it you cannot apply for, transfer or renew a holiday rental licence.

However, if a property you are interested in is already connected to the public electricity and water supply and you do not want to rent the property out for holidays, then the cédula is merely "helpful" in the event of a possible resale, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Against this background, one must always examine and assess the respective situation with all its possible consequences, but blanket statements are of little help and only cause confusion.