Holiday homes in Málaga will not have a separate waste collection fee. The city council has rejected a distinct system for holiday homes, which will be charged like regular residential properties.
The tax, introduced under EU regulations, will begin to be notified to residents in mid-2026. The first half must be paid before the end of that year, with the remainder due in 2027, when the tax will also start being collected annually.
The council estimates that waste collection will cost €63 million per year, to be covered by residents. Charges will be based on the property’s cadastral value and the number of registered occupants, averaging €140 per household annually.
Businesses and shops will follow a separate system, starting in 2027, and will be exempt from payment next year.
Reductions
Firstly, families declared vulnerable will be exempt from 50% of the fee. In addition, all residents can receive a 30% discount by committing to recycling.
Recycling containers will use a QR code system: if used three to five times a week, a 5% discount applies, and over five times a week earns a 15% discount. Visits to city recycling centres to drop off special waste reduce the bill by 1% per visit, up to 10%. The remaining 5% discount is granted for the collection of unwanted items from these centres.
Málaga opposes rubbish "tax"
Málaga City Council has voiced its opposition to the new tax, which has sparked widespread debate in Spain, and has urged the central government to find a way to reduce this "tax hike".
In response, the local government has announced it will apply a reduction in the IBI (Property Tax) next year as "compensation" for the new levy, although the exact amount has not yet been confirmed.