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Málaga Bans New Short-Term Rentals to Protect Housing

10/15/2025

Center

Málaga Bans Rentals

Málaga, Spain, bans new short-term rental properties in 43 neighborhoods where such rentals exceed 8% of the residential stock.
The measure, introduced in January 2025, will be trialed for three years.
The Spanish government previously ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 listings that violated regulations.
The steps reflect concerns about the impact of holiday letting platforms on local housing markets and displacement of residents in popular tourist areas.

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Jørgensen Addresses Housing Crisis

Dan Jørgensen, the EU's first housing commissioner, says Brussels must address the housing crisis or risk empowering anti-EU populists.
He announced the EU's first affordable housing strategy, due in December, including regulations on short-term rentals.
Jørgensen criticized historical EU inaction on housing and noted rents rising across Europe, some up more than 200%.
He called for a comprehensive, Europe-wide approach and urged policymakers to act decisively to prevent social unrest.

History

Historical Context

The European Union's Urban Agenda, established in 2015, aimed to tackle urban challenges like housing shortages, particularly in cities such as Málaga. By 2024, the impact of platforms like Airbnb led to over 65,000 listings being removed in Spain, prompting local governments to regulate short-term rentals. This reflects a broader European trend to address housing crises and prevent social unrest linked to rising living costs.

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Málaga Bans Rentals

Málaga, Spain, bans new short-term rental properties in 43 neighborhoods where such rentals exceed 8% of the residential stock.
The measure, introduced in January 2025, will be trialed for three years.
The Spanish government previously ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 listings that violated regulations.
The steps reflect concerns about the impact of holiday letting platforms on local housing markets and displacement of residents in popular tourist areas.

1 / 3