25. Madrid, Spain — 5.5 million international visitors.
Francisco de la Torre, Mayor of Malaga, has proposed introducing a €2 to €3 tourist tax on overnight stays in tourist accommodations such as hotels and holiday rentals.
In a letter addressed to the Spanish Prime Minister and ministers of tourism and urban development, De la Torre called for the creation of a legal framework to implement the tax, as reported by Schengen.News. The proposed measure aims to address the challenges posed by the proliferation of short-term tourist rentals, which have reduced the availability of long-term housing.
“As you know, the rise of tourist accommodations has created an undesirable situation in many cities across Spain and neighboring countries, limiting the supply of housing for long-term rentals,” De la Torre wrote. He argued that the tax would enable the city council to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on residents.
The mayor’s proposal highlights the strain on Malaga’s housing market caused by the increase in short-term rentals. Many residents rent out their homes to tourists to supplement their income, leading to a shortage of long-term rental properties and driving up housing and rental prices.
Revenue from the proposed tourist tax would be used to assist low-income families with housing needs and promote sustainable, high-quality tourism in the city.
Meanwhile, other cities like Porto in Portugal are also moving to increase tourist taxes. Porto’s city council recently approved raising its overnight tourist tax from €2 to €3, though the measure has yet to be implemented. Critics fear such changes could deter tourists, but proponents argue the funds will enhance tourism services and improve residents’ quality of life.
Tourism taxes are already in place in several Portuguese regions, including Algarve, Faro, and Lisbon. Visitors to these areas pay fees that vary based on the season, with €1 charged per night during the low season (November to February) and €2 during the high season (March to October).