Picture this: you arrive in Ibiza with your friends, suitcase in hand, sunglasses on, ready to toast the sunset with a cocktail in your private pool. But when you reach your rental… the keys do not work. Or worse, the property does not exist. It happens more often than you might think.
Booking illegal accommodation in Ibiza can turn your dream holiday into a nightmare. Cancelled bookings, fines, evictions… all very real risks if you unknowingly book a place that is not authorised.
To help you avoid that sinking feeling and guarantee peace of mind, here are 4 essential tips to know if your Ibiza rental is 100% legal and how to enjoy your trip with no nasty surprises.
1. Trust is the first check-in: book through verified platforms only
If the listing looks like paradise but is hosted on a suspicious website, stop right there. The safest way to book is through trusted, international platforms. These platforms usually verify listings and ensure they meet local laws.
A beach-view apartment with no reviews, hosted on a website you have never heard of, is not a bold travel choice, it is a risk. Especially if the photos look too perfect and the host pressures you to ‘book fast’.
Avoid deals through social media, private messages or unknown classifieds. Ibiza is magical, but magic should not disappear the moment you land.
Pro tip to remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Is it real or just really pretty? Check the official registry
Every legal rental in Ibiza must have a tourist registration number. It usually appears in the listing and looks like ‘ETV-1234-E’. But do not stop there, verify it on the official registry of the Consell d’Eivissa: https://registreturistic.conselldeivissa.es
Just copy and paste the number. If it does not exist, or if the address or capacity does not match, walk away. Fast.
This simple check takes two minutes and saves you from hours of drama. You deserve a hammock by the pool, not a headache at check-in.
3. The price tag test: if it feels like a bargain, think twice
Ibiza is a Mediterranean jewel. And while you can find great options for every budget, extremely low prices are often a red flag.
If you see a luxury villa in July with a pool, sea view and room for eight people… for €100 a night, stop scrolling. Compare it with other listings in the same area and season. A little research now saves a lot of regret later.
Scammers know how to tempt: they use cheap prices to hook you, then disappear with your money or offer something totally different upon arrival.
Share-worthy thought: a real view of Es Vedrà is priceless. A fake rental will cost you dearly.
4. If they ask for cash, just dash: pay through secure platforms only
This one is non-negotiable. Never pay in cash, bank transfer or via shady payment links. And definitely never through PayPal ‘friends and family’.
Always use the payment system offered by the platform you booked on. These systems protect you if anything goes wrong and create a clear paper trail in case you need help later.
If the host asks to “pay outside the platform for a discount”, that discount may come with the cost of losing your entire booking.
Remember: you are not just paying for a place, you are paying for peace of mind.
Why it matters: your trip, your rules — But make it legal
Ibiza is working hard to eliminate illegal rentals. The goal? Protect tourists like you and ensure locals can still live on their island. Booking legal accommodation is not just the smart thing to do, it is the right thing to do.
It guarantees that your rental meets safety standards, follows tourism laws, and contributes to preserving the beauty and balance of this island paradise. No eviction scares, no drama, just sun, sea and fun.
Your Ibiza holiday deserves to be epic, not a gamble
So before you click ‘Book Now’, take one more look at the listing. Is it on a trusted platform? Does it have a valid registration number? Is the price realistic? Are you paying through a secure channel?
Check, check, check, check.
Your reward? An unforgettable holiday in Ibiza, filled with sunshine, music, great food, hidden beaches and moments you will talk about for years.
Share this with your travel group and save someone’s holiday. Because in Ibiza, the only surprise should be how much you fall in love with it.
