New rules for calculating waste removal fees
Starting in 2026, updated rules for calculating waste collection fees will come into force in Madrid. From now on, the amount due will depend not only on the characteristics of the property, but also on the number of registered residents. City officials made this decision to ensure the system is fairer and more transparent for all residents.
Authorities note that this method is currently used in only a few Spanish cities due to its technical complexity. In Madrid, the rates will be divided into ten categories based on the number of people registered in an apartment or house as of January 1, 2026. This will allow financial responsibility to be distributed more accurately between homeowners and tenants.
Fee structure and calculation details
The waste removal fee will consist of two parts. The first is a base rate, which all property owners pay for access to the service. The second is a variable part that depends on the volume of waste and how well it is sorted in each of Madrid’s 131 districts. The base rate is determined by the cadastral value of the property, while the variable part is calculated using information on the quantity and quality of waste provided by the Valdemingómez technology park.
The average bill for Madrid residents in 2026 will be around €142.6, which is practically unchanged from 2025. However, the final amount will vary depending on the number of registered occupants. The city’s total revenue from this fee is expected to reach approximately €300 million, since street cleaning costs—unlike in some other municipalities—are not included in the calculation.
Who is eligible for benefits and who is exempt from the fee
Around 1.7 million properties in Madrid will be subject to the new rules. As before, garages and storage rooms associated with residential units are exempt from the fee as they do not generate waste. Owners of vacant lots or buildings in disrepair will also not have to pay. Industrial garages that have been fully converted for residential use are likewise exempt, provided the relevant application is submitted.
Large families will receive discounts similar to those applied to the property tax. Full exemption is available for recipients of the minimum income and social assistance. Estimates suggest that more than 38,000 families will benefit from these measures, saving them nearly €5 million.
Monitoring empty apartments and new opportunities for payers
Owners of vacant apartments and unused premises will only have to pay the basic share of the fee, but they must confirm the absence of residents every year. The city will use data from the municipal register to verify this. If no one is registered in the apartment, the system will automatically classify it as vacant.
Платить за вывоз мусора должен тот, кто фактически производит отходы. Однако по закону обязанность ложится на собственника, который может переложить расходы на арендатора. В 2026 году жители смогут выбрать удобный способ оплаты и получить скидку до 5%, но не более 15 евро.
City officials’ response and reasons for the changes
City officials emphasize that the introduction of garbage collection fees became mandatory after the adoption of the corresponding law at the national level. Madrid authorities have repeatedly opposed this measure, but are obliged to comply with current legislation. Municipal representatives point out that when developing the new system, data on waste volume and recycling in each district was taken into account to ensure the calculation is as accurate and fair as possible.
