The short version
- New measures include a ban on evicting vulnerable tenants until 2030 and restrictions on investment fund property acquisitions.
- The coalition government lacks a parliamentary majority, requiring negotiations with regional allies who have expressed significant reservations.
- Public outrage over the forced removal of an elderly pensioner has intensified demands for broader rent controls and tenant protections.
Spain’s ruling coalition has approved two decrees aimed at addressing the nation’s severe housing shortage, a move driven by widespread public anger following the controversial eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid. The proposals, which require parliamentary approval, seek to extend protections for vulnerable tenants and restrict speculative investment in residential properties. Health Minister Mónica García stated that the measures aim to restore balance between citizens and large-scale investors, describing the intervention as a necessary step to curb market speculation.
The central component of the first decree extends the ban on evicting vulnerable tenants until 2030. It also introduces stricter regulations for temporary rentals and room-by-room lettings, while prohibiting so-called vulture funds from purchasing properties until 2028. Additionally, current rental agreements expiring at the end of 2028 would receive a two-year extension. A separate agreement addresses the automatic renewal of lease contracts, though details remain under negotiation. These steps are designed to provide immediate relief to millions of renters facing soaring costs and instability.
Despite the government’s urgency, the path to enactment is fraught with political obstacles. The Socialist-led coalition does not hold a majority in Congress, necessitating support from regional parties such as Junts from Catalonia and Basque nationalist groups. While conservative Catalan and Basque factions may back the first decree, they are expected to reject the second. Junts spokesperson Míriam Nogueras criticized the proposals for failing to distinguish between large investment funds and small landlords who own only one or two properties, arguing that the measures unfairly penalize individual savers.
Protests have erupted across major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, and Cadiz, with demonstrators demanding more comprehensive reforms. Activists argue that splitting the housing overhaul into separate decrees is a tactical maneuver to dilute the impact of the legislation. Alicia Del Río of the Tenants’ Union described the approach as tearing apart a cohesive plan, insisting that the government must adopt the full set of changes demanded by protesters, including rent freezes and automatic lease renewals without excessive hikes. Hundreds of demonstrators remained camped in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square, signaling their intent to continue pressure until demands are met.
The catalyst for this political shift was the forced eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, a disabled pensioner removed from her Madrid apartment on a stretcher last week. Her case has become a symbol of the broader crisis, highlighting the vulnerability of elderly residents facing unaffordable rent increases. The property management company involved, Urbagestión, later offered Abascal the chance to return at a reduced rate capped at 30% of her income. She accepted the offer, which sets her monthly payment at €533, significantly lower than the initial demand of €1,650 that triggered the eviction.
Beyond the immediate political fallout, the housing market data underscores the severity of the situation. The Bank of Spain estimates a deficit of 700,000 homes, reflecting a persistent gap between demand and new construction. House prices rose by 12.2% in the past year, while rental costs increased by 8.5% in 2025. Madrid and Barcelona remain the most expensive cities for renters, with average costs reaching €22.7 and €23.8 per square meter, respectively. These figures illustrate why even prominent figures, such as former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, have struggled to maintain affordable housing arrangements.
Colau recently disclosed that she had to leave her long-term rental after separating from her husband, citing the impossibility of sustaining rent payments on a single income in a market geared toward dual earners. Her experience mirrors that of many ordinary citizens who find themselves priced out of their homes. The government has requested a special parliamentary session for Friday to expedite voting on the decrees, but it has 30 days from publication to secure consensus among allies. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo dismissed the proposals as an attempt to solve problems created over eight years in mere minutes.
As negotiations continue, the focus remains on whether the government can bridge the divide between tenant advocates and property owners. The Tenants’ Union maintains that partial measures are insufficient, while regional parties warn of unintended consequences for small-scale landlords. With protests ongoing and public sentiment highly charged, the coming weeks will determine if Spain’s housing reforms can withstand political scrutiny and deliver meaningful relief to those affected by the crisis.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Spain announces plan to ease housing crisis amid outcry over eviction of 87-year-old
- BBC News↗Spain announces new housing measures after protests over 87-year-old woman's eviction
