Worried about Spain’s so-called ‘tourist ban’? Here’s what’s really happening and how to visit Spain responsibly in 2025.
By Liza S. | Updated 30 Jan 2025 | Andalucia | News |
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If you’ve seen dramatic headlines about a ‘Spain tourist ban,’ take a deep breath – and maybe a sip of wine – because it’s simply not true!
As someone who absolutely loves travelling to Spain, I was pretty concerned when I first saw these fear-mongering headlines. But after looking into it, I can tell you: Spain (and Andalucia) still loves tourists, and the country’s warm welcome remains very much intact.
Here’s what is actually happening and how it will affect you and your Spain trip in 2025.
Malaga Old Town
Let’s set the record straight: Spain is not banning tourists.
What some cities are doing is introducing regulations to prevent tourist accommodations from taking over residential areas.
On 14 January 2025, Malaga placed a 3-year halt on new short-term holiday rental registrations in 43 neighbourhoods where the number of tourist lets has made it nearly impossible for locals to find affordable housing.
The restriction applies specifically to areas where short-term rentals constitute more than 8% of the housing stock. Existing rentals (there are currently 13,00 registered holiday rentals in Malaga) and new registrations in other neighborhoods remain unaffected.
Malaga’s move echoes measures implemented in Alicante and Madrid.
Similarly, Barcelona has announced plans to phase out all 10,000 of its licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028. The city has also maintained a ban on new hotel developments in its central areas to manage tourism's impact on local communities.
This is mainly to make sure locals can still afford to live in their own cities.
But this doesn’t mean hotels, existing rentals, and other accommodations are shutting down – far from it!
So, unless you were planning to start an Airbnb empire in Spain, these changes won’t impact your holiday plans. If anything, they might improve them by ensuring that popular cities in Spain don’t become overrun and unaffordable for both residents and visitors alike.
Once again, with feeling: Spain is not banning tourists, nor restricting them.
The term 'tourist ban' is a misinterpretation of these localized regulatory measures… and honestly, it’s just news outlets trying to get your clicks.
The truth is that the tourism sector remains a vital part of the Spanish economy, accounting for approximately 12% of the country's GDP. In 2024, a record-breaking 94 million people visited the country.
This year, Andalucia alone is expecting to welcome 37 million tourists.
Spain’s love affair with tourism is undeniable.
But as wonderful as that is, it also presents challenges and that’s why you’ve seen outrage over over-tourism in Spain from locals.
When entire neighbourhoods become dominated by short-term rentals, long-term residents get priced out, and the cultural fabric of these areas starts to erode. And this issue isn’t specific to Spain - it’s an issue facing many big cities around the world.
The recent measures seem to be centered on finding a balance – ensuring that tourism remains vibrant and economically beneficial while keeping local communities livable.
Think of it this way: if your favourite holiday destination turned into a place where only tourists could afford to live, it wouldn’t feel very authentic, would it? I know I would hate it.
These policies aren’t about stopping tourism; they’re about making sure that locals can still afford to live in their own cities and that Spain remains the lively, culturally rich country we all love to visit.
Absolutely!
Whether you’re dreaming of exploring Granada’s stunning Alhambra, watching flamenco in Seville, or soaking up the sun in Málaga, nothing about these changes will stop you from having an unforgettable trip.
Hotels, traditional guesthouses, and plenty of rentals are still available.
One change you may notice is that there’s more paperwork when renting a car or booking hotel stays. Companies will collect personal information like passport details, home addresses, and payment details as part of a new law that requires the information for national security reasons.
Carmona
Okay, so you’re still coming to Spain (yay!).
But if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how you can make sure your trip supports local communities rather than adding to the problem.
Here are a few easy ways to be a responsible traveller in Andalucia and throughout Spain:
For me, it all comes down to one principle: remember that we’re a guest in their country. Don’t be an ugly traveller!
So if you were worried about Spain turning its back on tourism, I hope you’re feeling reassured that you are still very much welcome (Phewwwww!).
The recent changes are all about making sure Spain remains a fantastic place to visit and live.
By being a thoughtful traveller, you can play your part and ensure that Spain stays as charming, vibrant, and magical as ever.
So go ahead, book that trip, and get ready to experience the best of Andalucía – no ‘tourist ban’ in sight!
Need some travel inspiration? Get our FREE ebook: The Ultimate Andalucia Bucket List.
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Travelling to/around Spain and need some help? Here are my favourite travel resources.
I usually use Booking.com to look for hotels or apartment rentals. Lots of choice & you can unlock more discounts with their Genius loyalty programme!
To research transportation options around Spain, I like using Omio. It’s an easy way to compare different modes of transport and prices in one place. To search train routes, schedules, and prices, I recommend using Trainline.
Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore Andalucia at your own pace. Click here to compare car rental prices. (You’ll be surprised at how affordable it is in Spain!)
Looking for tours & activities in Andalucia? I usually use Get Your Guide to get tickets and book tours. Viator also has a huge catalog of activities and tours across many cities in Spain. Our Viator Shop has my top recommendations, all in one place!
Guruwalk is my favourite platform to find the best free walking tours in a city.
For last-minute holiday deals, check out Expedia UK.
For money transfers or spending overseas in foreign currency, Wise is my favourite borderless banking service. I love their debit card that's without fees and always use it when I travel.
Travel insurance is a must to protect against emergencies and unexpected incidents. I personally use SafetyWing and you can get a no-obligation quote from SafetyWing here.
For an easy way to stay connected on the road, get an eSim from Maya Mobile. I personally use it and find it reliable. It's affordable and, best of all, you'll be connected the moment you arrive!
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