Authorities in Málaga have made a decision that will affect thousands of property owners and renters: starting in 2026, all tourist apartments will be required to pay a waste collection fee on par with regular residential properties. After lengthy debates, the city council has dropped the idea of introducing a separate rate for short-term rental apartments. From now on, owners of these properties will be in the same category as permanent residents, not commercial entities.
This new measure is linked to European Union requirements, which call for stricter environmental standards and greater transparency in waste management. By mid-2026, all property owners will receive notices regarding the new fee. Payment will be made in two installments: the first by the end of 2026, and the second in 2027. After that, the fee will become an annual and mandatory payment for all homeowners in Málaga.
Calculation and amounts
The municipality expects to collect around 63 million euros per year—the amount they estimate is needed to maintain the waste collection and recycling system. The amount payable for each apartment will depend on its cadastral value and the number of registered residents. On average, city officials estimate the fee will be about 140 euros per apartment per year.
Separate conditions will be set for commercial properties and businesses. They will be granted a deferral: businesses will not have to pay the fee in 2026 and will start only in 2027. Details on rates for stores, offices, and restaurants are expected to be announced later, once negotiations with industry associations are complete.
Discounts and concessions
City officials have introduced several ways to reduce the fee amount. Families classified as vulnerable will be eligible for a 50% discount. All other residents can earn incentives for eco-friendly behavior: using recycling bins with a QR code three to five times a week earns a 5% discount; more than five times, 15%.
Additionally, each visit to special waste collection points (clean points) reduces the bill by another 1%, up to no more than 10% per year. An extra 5% can be saved by bringing bulky items and old appliances to designated collection centers. This means that the most active supporters of recycling can almost halve their payment.
Reactions and debates
The decision to introduce a flat-rate fee has sparked heated discussions among residents and business representatives. Many fear the new fee will become an extra financial burden, especially for those renting out property to tourists. City council members openly admit they are not thrilled about imposing this tax, but cite EU directives and pressure from the central government.
In response to public discontent, the municipality has promised to offset part of the costs by reducing the real estate tax (IBI) next year. However, the exact details of this compensation have not yet been disclosed. Authorities emphasize that they are seeking ways to mitigate the impact on low-income families and encourage environmentally responsible behavior.
What’s next
For now, residents and businesses will have to wait for clarification on how the new charges will be calculated and on possible additional exemptions. In the coming months, city services will begin notifying property owners about the new regulations and payment procedures. Detailed instructions for all types of properties are expected to be released by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, representatives of the tourism sector are already preparing appeals to the authorities, asking them to reconsider the approach to rental housing. They insist that short-term rentals should not be treated the same as permanent residences and are calling for the seasonal nature and specifics of the business to be taken into account. However, so far, the city administration does not plan to change its decision.
If you didn’t know, Ayuntamiento de Málaga is the municipality responsible for all administrative matters in the city of Málaga. It oversees urban management, taxation, infrastructure, and environmental issues. This authority is in charge of introducing new fees and benefits for residents, as well as interacting with the regional and national authorities of Spain.
