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Many Malagueños are opposed to the mayor’s miniflat plan and complain only tourists can afford the rising cost of property rentals | Photo: Federacion Solidaridad
The truth is out there. A 27m2 apartment in Malaga costs nearly 100,000 euros. Property prices in the Costa del Sol’s capital are so high, young people cannot afford to buy or rent a house.
In this regard, Malaga Mayor Francisco de la Torre announced a plan for micro-flats to be built by the city’s PSOE leader. The idea met stiff opposition, and was labelled “silly” by local PSOE leaders.
Temporary rentals at affordable prices in the middle of a city, where owning a home is an impossible dream for most people under 40. On paper, the flats are meant to provide “very cheap” accommodation for Málaga’s struggling youth. In reality, the flats are a bandage for a broken system. Property websites paint a bleak picture: even modest one-bedrooms in the city centre are selling for €250,000 or more, and worse yet, they often need renovation.
Renting and selling property is prohibitive
The Idealista rental property search in Malaga’s city centre, an unfurnished 45m2 flat goes for 700 euros a month. A 30m2 furnished flat costs 730 euros per month. It is not surprising that young adults increasingly live with their parents, given the average salary before taxes of around 2,000 Euros a month. Idealista has the cheapest apartment in the centre of Paris for sale. It costs 195,000 euros. It’s 40m2.
The mayor says that the microflats he proposes to build will be constructed on public land. This is likely to happen in places like the Universidad District. With units that are the size of hotel rooms, it is hard to imagine they will offer dignity or a future.
The miniflats would be leased temporarily, with rotating tenants — meaning even those lucky to snag one won’t have long-term security.
‘Were shrinking expectations’
Urban planners, housing advocates, and others argue that the “solution” may institutionalize precarity. “Instead of tackling inflated rents and speculative development, we’re shrinking expectations — literally,” one housing rights group told Cadena Ser.
Ana, a barista of 28 years, said on X, “I would rather live in a shared flat than a box.” Another young Malagueño commented, “I earn 1,000 euros a month; 45m² feels like a cage.”.
Living in a small area can cause feelings of claustrophobia and overwhelm, especially if you share the space with other people. Psiquiatria Online: “It can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which may result in mental health problems.” wrote.
According to Malaga Hoy, local PSOE leader Daniel Pérez said the mayor’s idea is silly. “The construction of substandard houses cannot solve the housing crisis. Perez, who said that he “strongly rejects” De la Torre’s plan, stated: “Young people and families require decisive measures. Tiny rental apartments are not the answer.”
In one the most vibrant housing markets in Spain, the next generation will have to live with less space than their parents. If this is what the future housing will look like, it looks minimal.
