Thousands in Spain’s capital protest increasing housing costs
MADRID — Thousands of people rallied in central Madrid on Sunday against skyrocketing housing costs that have priced many Spaniards out of the real estate market despite a recent economic boom, particularly in cities like the capital and Barcelona.
Spain’s housing crisis is one of socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s main political vulnerabilities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The country has a strong tradition of home ownership and little social housing for rent, while rents have been pushed up by increased demand, notably due to tourism and immigration-related population growth, analysts say.
The demonstrators chanted slogans and held banners emphasizing their right to housing. “We want neighbors, not tourists,” read one banner.
Estrella Baudu, a 28-year-old teacher who was among the protesters, said she lived with her grandmother. “The situation of many young people like me is quite complicated and it is very difficult to find accommodation to rent due to prices and low salaries,” she said.
The march comes a day after tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid against Sanchez, as political tensions and criticism mounted over corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government.
PHOTOS: Thousands in Spanish capital protest rising housing costs
Buying a house in Spain has become unaffordable for many, with market pressures and speculation driving up prices, particularly in major cities and coastal areas.
Last month, the Spanish government adopted a sweeping plan worth 7 billion euros ($8.23 billion) to build more social housing over the next four years and provide help to young renters and home buyers, among those hardest hit by high rent and real estate costs.
“The government can say it is taking action, but the reality for those of us who rent is that we are receiving notices from our landlords who want to evict us,” said protester Fernando de los Santos, a 36-year-old university professor. “The only thing they are offering us is abusive price increases. »
A separate decree that would have extended the temporary rent freeze was not passed by Parliament, exposing the Sánchez government to more housing-related discontent in the short term.
In recent years, Spaniards have taken to the streets in numerous demonstrations across the country to protest the high cost of rent and housing. One of the main demands is for the government to further crack down on tourist rentals that have proliferated in Spain’s city centers, which welcomed a record 97 million international visitors last year.
Housing costs increased by almost 13% year-on-year to the end of 2025, according to the European statistical agency Eurostat.
The Bank of Spain estimates that this southern European country of 50 million has a shortage of 700,000 homes, comparing demand to the rate of new construction.
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Associated Press writer Suman Naishadham contributed to this report.
