Málaga Steps Into the Spotlight: Competes Against Eight European Cities to Host New EU Customs Authority

Málaga is officially in the race to host the headquarters of the future European Customs Authority (EUCA), competing against eight other major European cities for what is expected to become one of the EU’s most technologically strategic institutions.

Mayor Francisco de la Torre is in Brussels this Wednesday to present the city’s proposal, accompanied by representatives of the Andalusian regional government, the Spanish central government, and several major national companies.

A Strategic EU Institution Launching in 2026

The EUCA forms part of the sweeping customs reform included in the new EU Customs Code, presented by the European Commission on 17 May 2023. Starting operations in 2026, the agency will be responsible for designing, managing and maintaining the EU customs data hub — a unified electronic system intended to simplify, digitalise and centralise customs procedures across all member states.

The new agency is expected to employ around 250 specialists, making the choice of location crucial for logistics, infrastructure, and international connectivity.

Málaga’s Four-Location Proposal

Málaga’s bid includes four potential sites, three of which are modern office developments currently under construction:

• Tabacalera area (Insur Group) — Completion expected January 2026
• North of the Martiricos towers (Insur Group) — Expected completion end of 2026
• Paseo de Antonio Machado (Merlin Properties & Nieto Group) — Completion planned for Q4 2027

To support the proposal, the Andalusian regional government and Málaga city council have committed €12 million over six years to cover rental, adaptation, and maintenance costs. Additionally, the city is willing to purchase the buildings outright if EU security protocols require a fully exclusive-use facility.

A Fourth Option: A Custom-Built EU Headquarters

The city is also offering a tailor-made solution: construction of a dedicated EUCA headquarters on a 2,680 m² plot on Calle Pacífico, near Calle Cañada del Tesoro. The proposed building could feature:

• Ground floor + six storeys
• Total surface area: 8,819 m²

This plot, previously earmarked for a new Social Security Treasury headquarters, was repurchased by the city council for €8,163,775 after the original state project was cancelled.

The Competition Across Europe

Málaga faces strong competition from eight cities:
Liège (Belgium), Lille (France), Zagreb (Croatia), Rome (Italy), The Hague (Netherlands), Warsaw (Poland), Porto (Portugal), and Bucharest (Romania).

Each city is expected to highlight its connectivity, digital infrastructure, and international business environment — areas in which Málaga aims to stand out thanks to its rapid technological growth and expanding innovation ecosystem.

Source: Sur In English, December 2025