Spain is undoubtedly the favourite destination of many British holidaymakers hoping for a week full of sun, beach days and sangria.
But in the last few years, it seems that tourists are a subject that divides Spanish citizens. Only last year did locals in Barcelona make headlines for spraying tourists with water guns during protests where they claimed that visitors were taking over the city.
In response to these protests, which spread to tourist hotspots including Mallorca and the Canary Islands, Malaga seems to be the next area to take action. Keep reading to discover how.
What is the Malaga ban and how is it impacting tourists?
Don’t fret – you will still very well be able to enjoy your Malaga holiday as usual this year. However, Costa del Sol capital announced a ban which prohibits any new registrations for short-term holiday rentals, effective from January 14, 2025.
Existing rentals, hotels and Airbnb will continue to house tourists (except for a small number of rentals that were registered after February 22, 2024), however, the registration of new ones in the area’s 43 districts will be prohibited.
Additionally, tourist accommodation registered after February 22, 2024 that lacks independent access separate from residential spaces will lose their licenses – which could present a problem for people who use Airbnb.
Why is the ban being put in place?
The ban – which is set for three years but anticipated to last for longer – is in response to concerns raised by local people concerning a lack of affordable housing and increasing rents due to overtourism.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said of the ban: “It isn’t fair that those who have three, four or five apartments as short-term rentals pay less tax than hotels or workers.”
“The government’s duty is to prioritise residential use of housing to prevent speculative and touristic uses from expanding in a totally uncontrolled manner at the cost of residents.”
The concerns of Malaga’s residents are shared with those in other popular destinations, where residents argue that increasing tourist numbers causes overcrowding, unruly behaviour and harm to the local environment.
What other measures are there in Spain?
Barcelona has put several measures in place in the last few years in response to local protests, including banning the construction of new hotels, increasing tourist taxes and limiting the size of tourist tours that can take place in the city centre.
Mr Sánchez announced earlier this month that people from outside the EU – including the UK – will be required to pay a 100 per cent property tax if they’re not residents of the country, although the date for which this rule will come into this place has not yet been set.
In Benidorm, another area known for the influx of British tourists it receives year-round, stricter rules have come into place this year to combat the disorderly behaviour of tourists.
If found swimming, camping or sleeping on one of its beaches between midnight and 7am, you could be slapped with a €1,200 fine, while those found smoking and drinking on the beach will also be fined.
