Competition for a rental flat has grown fivefold: what it means for Málaga and the Costa del Sol

Competition for rentals in Malaga is far tougher than it was eight years ago: according to idealista/data, in the third quarter of 2026 each rental listing in Spain received an average of 43 enquiries before being taken down, compared with 8 in the same period of 2018. In Málaga city the increase is 446%, and across the province as a whole it is 255%.

How much has competition for each rental flat grown?

The indicator measures how many people contact the same listing before it is withdrawn. It is a simple way to gauge demand pressure: the more applicants per home, the harder it is to secure one and the stronger the landlord's negotiating position. Nationwide the increase is 405%, meaning competition has multiplied fivefold.

Source: idealista/data, third quarter of 2026 versus third quarter of 2018. In Barcelona a listing has gone from 11 to 92 enquiries, and in Madrid from 12 to 49.

Why is Málaga city growing faster than its province?

Málaga city concentrates jobs, the university, the tech hub and the arrival of international professionals, while the supply of long-term rentals has barely grown. On the coast, towns such as Marbella, Fuengirola or Benalmádena have a larger stock of second homes and seasonal lets, which softens the provincial average. Even so, a 255% rise still reflects a clearly stretched market.

Interestingly, Málaga province is among those with the smallest increases in Spain, alongside the Balearics, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Almería and Alicante. That does not mean there is a surplus of housing: in these destinations competition was already high in 2018, so the starting point was different.

Where has competition grown most in Spain?

• Mid-sized and small cities top the list: Lleida exceeds 3,000%, while Tarragona, Guadalajara and Burgos exceed 1,300%.
• Among the large cities, Zaragoza, Bilbao and Barcelona stand out, all above 700%.
• No provincial capital has grown by less than 190%, and no province is below 200%.
• Capitals with declared stressed-market zones also show sharp increases, with San Sebastián as the exception.

What does it mean for anyone looking to rent a flat in Málaga?

With dozens of applicants per listing, well-priced homes are let within days. It pays to have your paperwork ready (employment contract, payslips, NIE), respond quickly and consider neighbourhoods a little further from the centre or towns well connected by commuter train. For many households, buying is becoming a reasonable alternative to competing month after month for a rental.

Is it a good time to invest in a buy-to-let in Málaga?

Such strong demand lowers the risk of empty periods and non-payment, because the landlord can choose the tenant. The challenge lies in the purchase price and net yield, which vary widely from one Costa del Sol town to another. Before deciding, compare prices in our Costa del Sol market report and work out the real yield after costs, taxes and current rental regulations.

Conclusion

Renting in Spain is now a race with five times as many runners as in 2018, and Málaga city is ahead of the national average. Whether you are looking for a home to live in or to invest in Málaga and the Costa del Sol, EVS Property can help you find the right option and work out its return.

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