The situation is not resolved, but squatters are stopped.

Mijas Council reported that local police took action after receiving an tip-off about the illegal occupation of a house in the El Faro neighborhood.

In a statement, it was explained that agents in plainclothes rushed immediately to the house after the owner called in an emergency and warned about the presence of unauthorised individuals in her house. A quick intervention from the officers allowed the squatters leave the home voluntarily without having to use force. This ensured the safety of everyone. But the root of the problem still remains.

The incident, while the local community celebrates the success and quick action of local authorities to protect property, is a stark reminder that many people find themselves in this situation at this time of year.

Rents are outpacing wages, leaving workers homeless

Rental prices have risen dramatically on Spain’s Costa del Sol in the last decade. They are outpacing wages growth, which has led to a rising affordability crisis. According to a 2024 report, the average rent for an 80-square-metre apartment in Estepona swelled by 190 per cent from €446 to €1,297 per month since 2014. In Malaga city, rents rose by 13.2 per cent in the year to September 2024, reaching €14.50 per square metre, with luxury areas like Benahavís and Marbella hitting an average of €17.90 and €17.80 per square metre, respectively. Across the province, summer holiday rentals have doubled, with weekly costs averaging €1,183, a 128 per cent increase since 2014.

In Spain, salaries have been significantly behind. Over the last decade, salaries have risen by only about 20 per cent, with the average net salary in 2024 around €1,700 per month. The minimum wage, at €1,134 monthly, barely keeps pace with inflation, leaving many renters spending nearly 50 per cent of their income on housing. The disparity in Malaga is particularly stark, as the rental market has grown by 10.1% annually, far exceeding wage growth. This leads to workers being priced out and in some cases, evictions.

In 2025, all the largest municipalities on the Costa del Sol will announce affordable social housing projects in order to combat the housing crisis. This will also ensure that workers are able to afford to live within a reasonable distance from their workplace. This is not much comfort for those who have to find a home now and some even with children.