Why is AP-7 toll road so expensive?

Marbella residents face some of the highest motorway toll fees in Spain, with no relief given from discounts or nighttime free passage, according to a recent report by the Associated European Motorists (AEA). 

The province of Malaga, particularly the Western Costa del Sol, bears the burden of three of the country’s most expensive tolls, directly impacting on the mobility of businesses and workers and affecting the local economy and tourism in towns like Marbella. The Spanish government has failed to implement any subsidies or free alternatives, unlike other regions, while the free-to-use A-7 clogs up with intense traffic on a daily basis.

The AP-7 motorway, connecting Malaga to Estepona via Marbella, is particularly costly, with tolls reaching up to €14.95 during the peak summer season when tourism and work-related travel increase the most. The stretch, heavily used by Marbella’s workforce, sees a 62.5 per cent price hike in summer and Easter, yet the Ministry of Transport has not provided any free alternative routes or measures to ease congestion on the overwhelmed A-7 road.

Where are toll road prices the highest in Malaga Province?

The AEA report also highlights the high costs of the AP-46 Alto de las Pedrizas to Malaga stretch, priced at €6.30 for 28 kilometres, and the AP-7 Estepona to Guadiaro section, costing €3.90 for 22 kilometres. Both routes, vital for residents, tourists, and logistics services heading to Marbella, lack any discounts or nighttime exemptions. In contrast, other regions like Alicante enjoy fully subsidised tolls, and Pontevedra benefits from discounts, with its Puxeiros–Baiona stretch costing just 1.40 euros for 24 kilometres.

Why doesn’t the PSOE government lower AP-7 toll price?

Marbella’s local government has once again demanded the immediate liberalisation of these toll sections or the introduction of progressive discounts, as seen elsewhere in Spain. Despite a local PSOE councillor also serving as a Malaga deputy, the socialist party in Marbella has remained silent, failing to challenge their national leadership or advocate for residents facing what the AEA describes as an “unjust toll system”. The central government says, in their defence, that the high costs are due to an agreement signed by the previous PP government with the concession company running the toll road, while local Costa del Sol PP-run administrators accuse the central government, led by PSOE, of favouring spending on their coalition partners rather than in Andalusia, an accusation backed by the European Court of Justice.

While Marbella’s tolls are not the priciest per kilometre in Spain, their total cost per journey ranks among the highest, exacerbated by the lack of subsidies, nighttime relief, or viable free alternatives.