Andalusia Becomes Spain’s Squatting Hotspot: 2,800 Cases Spark New Legal Crackdown

Andalusia has reached a critical turning point in its housing crisis, officially surpassing Catalonia as the region with the highest number of new squatting lawsuits in Spain. Regional authorities confirmed in January 2026 that over 2,800 active squatting files have been processed as the government moves to implement a "zero tolerance" policy against illegal occupants.

The surge in "okupa" activity, particularly along the Costa del Sol and in major provincial capitals, has prompted the Junta de Andalucía to fast-track new legislation designed to protect private property owners and restore confidence in the rental market.

Provincial Breakdown: Where Squatting is Most Frequent

Recent judicial data from the final quarter of 2025 and early 2026 reveals that the pressure of illegal occupation is no longer confined to the largest cities. While Malaga remains a primary target due to its high volume of holiday homes, other provinces are seeing unprecedented increases in legal filings.

New 2026 Anti-Squatting Measures

To combat this trend, the Andalusian Parliament is enacting a series of measures within the new 2026 Housing Law aimed at deterring illegal occupants and supporting affected landlords:

• 5-Year Public Housing Ban: Any individual convicted of illegal squatting will be legally barred from applying for subsidized public housing (VPO) for a period of five years.
• Anti-Squatting Task Force: A new Coordination Commission has been established to bridge the gap between local police and the courts, aiming to reduce eviction timelines which currently average over 18 months.
• Verification Systems: Local town halls will now have access to a centralized verification protocol to detect unauthorized residents in properties through utility consumption and census monitoring.

The Legal Battle with Central Government

The regional crackdown faces significant hurdles due to national legislation. The central government in Madrid has extended a "social shield" decree through the end of 2026, which restricts the eviction of "vulnerable" occupants. Under these rules, individuals claiming economic hardship—even those with household incomes up to €1,800—can potentially stall eviction proceedings for months.

Regional Minister Rocío Díaz has criticized these national measures as an "incentive for illegal occupation," arguing that they force private owners to provide social housing that should be the responsibility of the state. As a result, more owners are turning to private security services and comprehensive legal insurance to protect their investments in 2026.

Protecting Your Investment

For property owners and expats in Andalusia, the current climate necessitates proactive measures. Legal experts suggest installing monitored alarm systems and ensuring that your home insurance specifically includes "legal defense" for squatting cases. With Andalusia now at the forefront of this national issue, the outcome of the Junta's new 2026 laws will be a litmus test for property rights across the rest of Spain.