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Buying a flat in Málaga: what to check

By Daniel WhitcombeReviewed by Marta Calderón IbáñezPublished Updated Stage 3: Choose where and what

Quick answer

Málaga is a provincial capital with an airport, a port and an old town, and its market is mostly flats. Check community statutes and charges, noise, the rules on tourist lets, which large Spanish cities tighten often, and the airport’s flight paths. Andalusian resale tax is seven per cent.

Applies toBuyers considering a flat or house in Málaga city or its neighbourhoods.

On this page: 10 sections
  1. The city
  2. The market
  3. Taxes
  4. Flats and communities
  5. Tourist lets
  6. Noise and the airport
  7. Flood and coast
  8. Who it may suit
  9. What we could not verify
  10. More on this topic
Checked 26 October 2026by Marta Calderón Ibáñez. Claims on this page are tied to the sources listed at the end.

§ 1The city

Málaga is the capital of its province, on the Mediterranean, with the airport that serves the Costa del Sol, a port, a historic centre, universities and a long seafront. It is a place where people live and work, and not only a resort. This page belongs to the chapter on Costa del Sol in detail.

§ 2The market

The registry reports that foreigners made up 37.01% of home purchases in the province in the second quarter of 2026. That includes the coast, not only the city. We found no official average price for Málaga city, so we print none. For comparison, the registry reports twelve-month city averages from €1,294 per m² in Zamora to €5,534 per m² in Madrid, and Málaga lies within that range. Ask local agents for recent sales with dates.

§ 3Taxes

A resale flat in Andalusia pays transfer tax at 7%. A new flat pays VAT and stamp duty on the deed at 1.2%. The local property tax and the municipal tax on the increase in value of urban land are set by the council, as the costs section explains.

§ 4Flats and communities

Most homes are flats in communities of owners. Ask for the statutes, accounts, minutes and reserve fund, and ask about planned works to the façade, roof or lift. The law requires a three-fifths vote to approve, limit or ban tourist rental, so check any vote. The legal process section explains.

§ 5Tourist lets

Large cities have been tightening rules on tourist flats, and Málaga is no exception in the public debate, though we could not read the current municipal rules. The regional regime, regional registration and the community’s prior express approval each apply. If you rely on lets, ask a local lawyer to check the current position in writing.

§ 6Noise and the airport

Noise in a city comes from traffic, bars, building work and the airport. The operator publishes interactive noise maps for this airport. Check flight paths and visit at busy times. The location checks section explains.

§ 7Flood and coast

Streams that cross the city can flood in heavy rain. Check the national flood viewer and ask the council. The ministry’s coastal strategy for Cádiz, Málaga and Almería concerns the coast.

§ 8Who it may suit

It may suit buyers who want city life with a beach, an airport and services, and who accept city issues. Homes in Marbella covers Marbella to the west and Nerja explained covers Nerja to the east.

Benalmádena explained covers Benalmádena.

§ 9What we could not verify

We did not read the municipal rules on tourist lets and found no official price average for the city.

§ 10More on this topic

Estepona explained explains what to check when buying in Estepona and Fuengirola explained explains what to check when buying in Fuengirola.

Mijas explained explains what to check when buying in Mijas.

FAQRelated questions

Is Málaga a city or a resort?

It is a city of the Costa del Sol with a historic centre, a port, universities and an airport. It has beaches too, but the market is mostly flats in a living city, with the community and noise questions that go with that.

Are tourist lets allowed in Málaga?

Rules in large Spanish cities change often, and we could not read the current municipal rules. Check the regional regime, the community statutes and the council’s planning rules before you buy for lets.

How close is the airport?

Quite near the centre, which means aircraft pass over several districts. The operator provides interactive maps of noise around it. Compare your address with the approach routes, and spend time there when traffic is heaviest.

Sources

About this page

Written by

Daniel Whitcombe

Writer, buying and living in Spain

Daniel writes the chapters on how a purchase runs, who can buy, where to buy and how to check a location. He writes for readers who are new to the Spanish system and prefers plain explanations that name the official source. He is not a lawyer or adviser.

Reviewed by Marta Calderón Ibáñez, chief editor and source editor, 26 October 2026. Checked: Figures and rules checked against the official texts listed below

Found an error? Report it. Each report gets a dated reply, and confirmed corrections are logged on the updates page.

General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.