The Spanish government has approved a series of housing measures aimed at addressing the country’s ongoing affordability crisis, including a ban on evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030 and the automatic renewal of rental contracts. The announcement follows widespread protests sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Madrid pensioner Maricarmen Abascal last week, which brought national attention to the housing shortage and rising rents.
Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction led to tens of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets across Spain, with a group of protesters establishing a camp of approximately 100 tents in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square. The pensioner’s situation, which ended with her removal from the apartment on a stretcher, quickly became a symbol of broader social concerns related to housing access and affordability. Following public pressure and negotiations, Urbagestion, the real estate company that owns her apartment, agreed to allow Abascal to return with an eight-year lease at a rent capped at 30 percent of her pension.
The Socialist-led coalition government, in partnership with the far-left Sumar party, finalized the proposed measures during a cabinet meeting. These include not only the eviction ban but also restrictions on speculative purchases by investment funds, often referred to by critics as “vulture funds,” as well as regulations on short-term tourist rentals, which many attribute to exacerbating urban housing shortages. The government describes these steps as essential to halting the market practices that limit housing availability for ordinary citizens.
Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez emphasized the social significance of the agreement, describing it as a response to a pressing problem faced by many Spaniards. Nevertheless, the legislative package faces uncertainty in Parliament, where the left-wing coalition lacks a majority amid a fragmented political landscape. The government has called a special session for Friday to seek approval of the decrees.
The legislative proposals involve two separate decrees: one extending eviction protections and limiting speculative purchases, and another covering automatic lease renewals. While the first is reportedly gaining some support, including tentative approval from conservative Catalan and Basque parties, the second faces resistance, including from parties allied with the government that tend to side with landlords’ interests. Tenant advocates have expressed concern that splitting the reforms could undermine their overall impact.
The country is grappling with a severe housing shortage, estimated by the Bank of Spain to be around 755,000 homes and potentially rising to one million by 2028. Experts point to a complex set of causes, including the aftermath of the 2008 housing bubble burst, restrictive building policies, an influx of wealthy foreign buyers, and the growth of short-term rentals driven by tourism. Homeownership remains the norm in Spain, with only about 20 percent of residents renting, but rising rents have made it increasingly difficult for many, particularly younger people, to find affordable housing.
Critics of the government’s approach argue that the measures may not sufficiently address the root causes of the crisis. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative People’s Party dismissed the proposals, stating that the housing problems developed over many years cannot be resolved quickly. At the same time, housing activists and unions maintain pressure for comprehensive reforms, including rent freezes and guarantees against arbitrary rent hikes.
As Spain faces mounting social and political pressure to deliver housing solutions, the upcoming parliamentary vote will be a crucial test for the government’s efforts to balance market interests with tenant protections and respond to widespread public demand for accessible and affordable housing.