Let Out Property in Málaga

The rental letting market in Málaga

Málaga offers excellent letting opportunities — both to tourists and long-term tenants. The Spanish tourist licence (licencia turística) is required for short-term lets and requires registration with the Junta de Andalucía.

Málaga, as part of the Costa del Sol, has solid demand for holiday accommodation year round, driven by both tourists and the growing number of digital nomads and long-stay travellers. That makes the town an attractive place to own a property you let out when you are not using it yourself.

Tourist licence and rules in Málaga

To let your property in Málaga on a short-term basis (under roughly 2-3 months per tenant) you need a valid tourist licence. In Andalusia this is issued by the Junta de Andalucía, and you must register the property with a specific licence number that must appear in all listings.

The rules are actively enforced, and fines for illegal letting can run into several thousand euros. It is therefore essential to have the licence sorted before you start advertising the property on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms.

Expected rental income in Málaga

In high season, a property in Málaga can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. Over a full year, with a realistic occupancy rate of 50-70% in the most popular areas, this can provide a solid ongoing return — particularly if the property is also used privately outside the season.

Remember that rental income must be taxed in Spain (typically 19% for EU citizens on net income) and may also need to be declared in your home country — but double taxation treaties typically prevent you from paying full tax twice on the same income.

How to get started letting in Málaga

Start by applying for a tourist licence from the Junta de Andalucía, and make sure the property meets the requirements for safety, fire equipment and signage. Next, you should invest in professional photos — in a market like Málaga, where direct flights from across europe is a big part of the appeal, good photos make a real difference to your booking rate.

Consider whether you want to manage the letting yourself, or use a local property management company that handles key handover, cleaning and guest communication — particularly relevant if you do not live in Spain full time.

Long-term letting as an alternative in Málaga

If you prefer a more stable, less administration-heavy solution, long-term letting (over a year) to locals or expats can be a good alternative to seasonal short-term letting. It does not require the same tourist licence, but is instead governed by the general tenancy law (LAU), which gives the tenant stronger rights.