Andalucia has emerged as one of the top regions in Spain where homeowners are being forced to sell squatted properties – often at half their real value.
New data from leading property portal Idealista reveals that 3.4% of all homes for sale in Malaga city, for example, are currently illegally occupied, placing it third in the region behind Sevilla (8.4%) and Almeria (6.4%).
Across Andalucia as a whole, these listings make up 22% of the national total, second only to Catalonia.
The figures, taken from the third quarter of 2025, paint a stark picture of how property owners are increasingly offloading their homes at deep discounts simply to escape legal limbo.
Andalucia cities among the worst-hit in Spain
At the national level, Barcelona has the highest number of squatted homes on the market (855), followed by Madrid (776) and Sevilla (558). Malaga ranks fifth, with 304 properties up for sale while still occupied.
These homes, often listed for sale without the seller having possession, account for a growing share of the housing market.
In total, 23,010 homes were listed in this condition across Spain in the last quarter alone, making up 3% of all listings.
Other cities with large numbers of these cases include Murcia (427), Valencia (200), Palma (184) and Almeria (158), many of which are popular destinations for second homes and foreign investment.
Owners ‘surrendering’ as squatters take over
Francisco Iñareta, spokesperson for Idealista, warned that property owners are increasingly surrendering their homes out of sheer frustration with legal delays.
‘Many simply give up, tired of waiting for court orders that never come,’ he said. ‘In many cases, they end up selling at prices up to 50% below market value.’
Iñareta called for immediate policy changes, demanding stronger legal protections and faster eviction processes for owners trying to reclaim their property.
‘What we need is legal security and a system that guarantees owners the return of their homes,’ he added.
A growing provincial crisis
Beyond the cities, the problem stretches across the Andalusian region. Malaga province ranks fifth nationwide, with 1,254 squatted homes listed, just behind Alicante and ahead of Sevilla (1,222). Barcelona leads with more than 6,500.
Read more Spain property news at the Spanish Eye.
