A “VV” is a vivienda vacacional — a private home that is rented to tourists for short stays in the Canary Islands. In practice it means an apartment, house, bungalow or villa that you register as tourist accommodation and operate under tourism rules, not as a normal long-term rental. Owners must register the property in the General Tourism Register of the Canary Islands, and once accepted, the home gets an official registration number and an exterior plaque with that number. This number is also what you are expected to show in your listings and on the property itself.

Where does a VV make sense in the south of Tenerife?

Most demand is concentrated in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. These areas have year-round tourism, good beaches and services, and fast access to the TF-1, Siam Park and major shopping zones. The local councils (Adeje and Arona) also handle many of the practical checks and reports tied to VV use, so you’ll often interact with them when gathering municipal documents. Availability still depends on local planning and your building’s rules. If your community statutes ban tourist use, or if local planning says the use is not compatible, you won’t get far. Always verify with your Ayuntamiento before you invest.

The rules are changing — what to know right now

The Canary Islands Government has been updating holiday-rental rules. A new regional framework aims to give town halls more power to decide where VVs are allowed, to balance tourism and housing. Drafts discussed since 2024 include tighter technical standards and local zoning, and regional briefings point owners to the “declaración responsable” route through the e-office as the formal start of activity. Keep in mind that proposals about capping VVs or limiting them by zone have been widely debated and may still evolve as the final law is rolled out. Check the latest before you file.

How to get a VV in Tenerife South (plain-English walkthrough)

First, check planning and building rules. Confirm your home’s use class and that tourist use is compatible. Ask at Arona or Adeje town hall or via their online procedure pages if you’re in Los Cristianos, Las Américas, or Costa Adeje. If the home sits inside a complex, read the community statutes to make sure short-term letting is not forbidden.

Second, put your paperwork in order. You’ll need proof the dwelling is legal and habitable such as a cédula/licencia de primera ocupación or a responsible habitability statement, plus your ID and ownership details. If you operate through a company, bring company documents. 

Third, file the declaración responsable de inicio de actividad for Vivienda Vacacional in the Canary Islands e-office. This is the formal step that registers the unit in the regional Tourism Register; you will receive a registration number if everything is correct. Use that number in your advertising. 

Fourth, meet the basic VV standards. Ensure the property is safe, in good condition and equipped for tourist use. Once registered, place the VV plaque with your official number at the entrance so inspectors and guests can identify it.

Fifth, sort your taxes and admin. Register for the appropriate tax obligations in the Canary Islands and at the national level, keep invoicing in order, and declare your activity. Many owners use a gestoría to set this up the right way from day one.

Extra notes that save headaches in Adeje, Las Américas and Los Cristianos

Tourist areas are busy and well regulated. Complexes with hotel-style management may have rules that clash with individual short-term lets, even if earlier regional bans on VVs in tourist zones were trimmed back by the courts years ago. Always check the community statutes and any use-of-tourist-complex conditions before you commit.

How long does it take and what does it cost?

Time and cost vary with your starting point. If your paperwork is complete and the home already has its occupancy licence, the declaración responsable route is typically the fastest administrative path, while upgrades to meet standards or resolving planning issues can add time. Professional help speeds this up and reduces back-and-forth with the town hall and the regional tourism office.

Final word

A VV is a legal tourist home, not a casual side activity. Do the planning check, file the declaración responsable, register in the Tourism Register, mount the plaque, and keep your taxes and standards in line. In the south of Tenerife this opens the door to solid, year-round demand — as long as you stay aligned with the evolving regional and municipal rules.