Moving To Málaga In 2026: What You Need To Know

Toni Torres joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about the realities of moving to Málaga in 2026. Born and raised in the city, Toni has watched it transform into one of Spain's most popular expat destinations — and he sees both sides of that story every day, working with foreigners settling in while his local friends deal with rising rents and a tourism-first building boom. He explains what has changed over the past five to ten years, why the city draws so many people, how locals really feel about the influx of foreigners, and where he thinks the local government has fallen short.

Toni also gets practical: what newcomers need to know about a rental market now among the most expensive in Spain, why you should start your search three or four months ahead and lean on WhatsApp and Facebook groups, and how to avoid the "expat bubble trap" that catches so many arrivals. He unpacks why the language is the biggest obstacle most people face, what actually works for learning Spanish, and his honest take on making Malagueño friends as an adult. If you're considering a move to Málaga — or you're already there and stuck inside the bubble — this is a useful reality check from someone who bridges both worlds.

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00:00 Welcome to Málaga 2026

00:49 How Málaga has changed

02:12 Why everyone visits

04:27 Locals vs tourists

08:41 Housing and rent reality

10:31 Finding a place to live

13:07 The expat bubble trap

14:56 Making local friends