Marbella’s housing market is undergoing a dramatic transformation — and for many locals, it’s becoming harder than ever to find a place to live.
Recent data reveals that nearly 60% of all rental properties in Marbella are now being used for short-term tourist accommodations, a shift that’s squeezing the availability of long-term rental options and pushing up monthly rents for residents.
The city’s popularity as a luxury travel hotspot, combined with platforms like Airbnb and the growth of digital nomadism, has fueled an explosion in short-term lets. From beachfront apartments in Elviria to penthouses in Puerto Banús, homes once occupied by year-round tenants are now booked out week-by-week to vacationers.
“It’s nearly impossible to find an affordable, long-term rental anywhere near the center,” says Paula García, a schoolteacher who has been searching for housing since April. “Landlords don’t even want to discuss long-term contracts anymore.”
Local economists warn that the imbalance between tourist and residential demand is distorting Marbella’s housing market. Rents for long-term tenants have risen by over 20% in just the past 12 months, according to regional real estate trackers.
In response, the Andalusian government is enforcing stricter regulations on short-term rentals through the Decreto 31/2024, limiting licenses in saturated zones and giving homeowners’ associations more power to restrict holiday lets in multi-unit buildings.
Still, enforcement remains uneven, and the profit incentive for short stays remains strong. With tourism expected to surge again this summer, experts say Marbella’s rental crisis is far from over.