MALAGA has approved around 100 new tourist apartments despite its ongoing moratorium on holiday accommodation.
Developers are bypassing the ban on new holiday lets by using a legal loophole that allows entire buildings of tourist apartments to be authorised.
Malaga council also granted 49 licences to convert commercial premises into housing, further reshaping the city’s real estate landscape.
Consejo Rector de Urbanismo de Malaga confirmed most of the units will be concentrated in large-scale developments.
The most significant project is a single building containing 81 tourist apartments at 7 Paul Dukas Street.
Additional schemes include nine apartments in Capuchinos, six on Emilio de la Cerda Street, and four on Regimiento Street.
Another development in Beatas Street involves the conversion of existing residential and commercial units.
Together, these projects amount to roughly 105 tourist accommodation units.
Although the city introduced a three-year moratorium in 2025, the rules specifically exclude buildings operating as unified tourist complexes.
This distinction allows developers to continue constructing large blocks which are treated like hotel operations under planning law.
The 49 approved changes of use from commercial to residential are spread across several neighbourhoods.
These include Barcenillas Street, Alameda Principal and Francisco Correa Street.
While many involve single retail spaces, some involve clustering multiple premises which critics fear could later become tourist rentals.
Officials argue the conversions increase housing supply, but opponents warn they destroy neighbourhood commerce.
The decisions triggered a political backlash from opposition councillors.
Mariano Ruiz Araujo of the PSOE said the approvals make it increasingly difficult for residents to remain in the city.
Toni Morillas of Con Malaga accused the council of prioritising real estate development over affordable housing.
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The controversy comes amid growing concern over the scale of holiday lets, compared to the small stock of subsidised housing.
Supporters argue tourism remains essential to the local economy and funds urban improvements.
However, opponents say the imbalance is worsening affordability and pushing residents out of central areas.
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