Malaga is banning new short-term tourist rentals in 43 neighborhoods to address the rising housing costs fueled by tourism. This measure, following similar moves by cities like Barcelona, targets neighborhoods where over 8% of homes are used as short-term rentals. High rents and limited long-term housing have led residents to blame platforms like Airbnb and the influx of foreign remote workers. Malaga has 40,000 holiday rental beds compared to 14,000 in hotels, showing the dominance of the short-term rental market. Mayor De la Torre also seeks permission to introduce a tax on holiday rentals to fund social housing programs.
Malaga is implementing a ban on new short-term tourist rentals across 43 neighborhoods, joining a growing number of Spanish cities taking action to address the impact of tourism on local housing markets. This decision, made by Malaga's city council, is in response to concerns that the booming tourism sector is driving up housing costs and displacing residents. Barcelona has taken similar measures, with plans to eliminate licenses for short-term tourist rentals by 2028, demonstrating the broadening push among Spanish cities to regulate short-term rental markets to alleviate housing pressures.
Local residents have voiced frustrations, blaming the surge in short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com for higher rents and a lack of affordable, long-term housing. Many also note an influx of foreign remote workers who have chosen Malaga as a base, which is adding further pressure to the city's housing market. In response, the city council has targeted neighborhoods where more than 8% of homes are used as short-term rentals for the new restrictions, with plans to review the policy annually.
Over the past decade, Spain has seen increased demand for rental housing from migrants and low-income families, according to data from the Bank of Spain. However, landlords often favor short-term rentals for tourists, as these rentals yield higher profits. In Malaga alone, there are approximately 40,000 beds in holiday rentals compared to only 14,000 hotel beds, underscoring the extent of the short-term rental market. In central Malaga, short-term rentals now account for 65% of the area's tourist accommodations, highlighting the competition between the tourism and residential markets.
Mayor Francisco De la Torre has also reached out to Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu, seeking authorization to introduce a tax on overnight stays in holiday rentals, which would generate revenue to support social housing programs. This tax would exclude hotel stays and would require national legislation changes to be implemented. The proposed tax is part of a broader strategy to offset the impact of tourism on local housing by helping to subsidize affordable housing for residents, ensuring that tourism-driven economic growth does not come at the expense of local communities. Through these measures, Malaga aims to balance its thriving tourism industry with the housing needs of its residents.
Malaga's decision to ban new short-term tourist rentals in 43 neighborhoods reflects a growing concern over the impact of tourism on local housing markets. This move, alongside Barcelona's plans to eliminate rental licenses by 2028, highlights a broader trend among Spanish cities to regulate the short-term rental sector. With rising rents and increasing competition for affordable housing, local authorities aim to protect residents while still fostering tourism. Additionally, proposals for a tax on holiday rentals further illustrate efforts to balance economic growth with the housing needs of the community.
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