Malaga has slapped a ban on new short-term rentals in its most crowded tourist zones in a bid to reclaim its streets for locals.
The Times reports that the move, coming into effect next month, targets 43 neighbourhoods across the southern Spanish city, including the old town, La Merced — where Pablo Picasso was born — and Playa del Palo.
The council is blocking holiday lets in areas where more than 8% of homes are already used for short stays, calling it a battle against “tourist saturation.”
With 65% of Malaga’s city centre accommodation catering to tourists, the council claims the restrictions will ease housing pressures and nudge tourists towards less-populated zones.
10.8 MILLION VISITORS
The region saw 10.8 million visitors in just nine months this year, with Brits making up a hefty chunk.
“This is just the beginning,” warned Carmen Casero, the city’s planning chief.
But not everyone’s clapping. Juan Cubo, head of the Association of Tourist Homes and Apartments of Andalusia, slammed the council for rushing the rules, claiming they’ll hammer the economy and barely scratch rental prices.
“Politicians caused the housing crisis, and now locals are paying the price,” he fumed.
SIMILAR CRACKDOWNS
The row mirrors similar crackdowns across Spain. Barcelona plans to ban all holiday flats by 2028, while Madrid, Valencia, and Seville have also tightened rules.
Protests against over-tourism are mounting in the world’s second-most-visited country, with locals fed up as rents soar and housing vanishes. Airbnb, the global rental giant, is also in the firing line.
“This war on short-term lets only fattens the hotel industry,” blasted Sara Rodriguez, Airbnb’s Spain policy chief, in a letter urging Barcelona’s mayor to reconsider.
Malaga’s move signals a major showdown between residents and the lucrative tourism trade.
