Starting January 14th, 2025, the city of Malaga imposed a three-year freeze on new holiday rental registrations in 43 districts. This measure aims to reduce overcrowding and preserve residential neighborhoods.
The policy responds to growing local frustration over high rental costs and crowded streets. Malaga introduced the ban after anti-tourism protests spread across Europe, especially in popular Spanish destinations like Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
It focuses on areas where short-term rentals make up more than 8% of residential buildings, aiming to ease the housing shortage and protect residential communities.
Visitors can still book existing accommodations despite the restrictions. Malaga has 13,000 registered holiday rentals available to tourists. However, properties registered after February 22nd, 2024, that lack independent access or separate facilities from residential areas may lose their licenses.
Malaga is not the only city taking action. Alicante, Madrid, and Seville have introduced similar bans in recent years. Madrid bans tourist apartments in its historic center, and Seville caps them at 10% of residential properties per neighborhood.
These steps show a growing effort across Spain to prioritize residents’ quality of life over unchecked tourism. These changes will impact both tourists and long-term visitors to Spain. Tourists may face higher accommodation costs and fewer affordable short-term rentals in popular areas, requiring earlier planning.
Long-term visitors and expats may encounter stricter housing rules as landlords shift properties from short-term rentals to local leases.
Policymakers aim to ensure tourism’s economic benefits do not undermine community well-being, a principle that may shape future immigration reforms. The initial ban will last three years, but officials suggest it could be extended.
Malaga City Council has stated its focus on protecting the region’s historic character while supporting tourism-driven economic growth. Other regions may adopt similar measures, marking a change in how Spain handles its tourism industry. These changes affect both tourists and hosts but are part of a broader effort to promote sustainable tourism.
