On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of Spaniards gathered in the streets of Barcelona to protest the soaring cost of rent and the housing crisis gripping the city. Demonstrators, frustrated by the escalating rents and lack of affordable housing, filled the downtown area, blocking traffic and holding signs with slogans such as “Fewer apartments for investment and more homes for living” and “The people without homes uphold their rights.”
Protest Details
The protesters, led by groups like Barcelona’s Tenants Union, are demanding a 50% reduction in rental prices. They also called for a potential strike if the housing situation does not improve. While protest organizers claimed that more than 126,000 people participated, local police estimates were lower, at around 22,000. Despite the difference in turnout figures, the protest highlights growing frustration over the unaffordability of housing in Barcelona and other major Spanish cities.
Rising Housing Costs in Spain
The cost of housing in Spain has become a pressing issue, mirroring housing affordability struggles seen in cities around the world. According to the online real estate platform Idealista, the average rent in Spain has doubled over the past decade. In 2014, the price per square meter was €7.2, but by 2024, it had surged to €13 per square meter. This increase is even more pronounced in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where rental costs are rising far faster than incomes—particularly for younger residents.
One protester shared his personal experience, expressing frustration and fear after being told he would need to vacate the apartment he had rented for 15 years in Barcelona’s city center. He suspects the landlord plans to renovate the property and raise the rent, despite the fact that he earns a “decent salary.” He fears that if the situation does not improve, he may be forced to leave the city altogether.
The Financial Strain on Renters
The Bank of Spain reports that nearly 40% of Spanish renters spend around 40% of their income on rent and utilities, significantly higher than the EU average of 27%. This financial strain is exacerbated by the lack of affordable housing options, particularly for young people and migrants who are more likely to face financial insecurity and have fewer savings.
Ignasi Martí, a professor at Esade Business School and head of its Dignified Housing Observatory, described the situation as a housing emergency, emphasizing that many people are struggling both to access housing and maintain stable living conditions.
Factors Driving High Rent Prices
Several factors are contributing to the high rental costs, one of the most significant being the growing market for short-term rentals, particularly tourist accommodations. In cities like Barcelona, properties previously available for long-term residents are increasingly being converted into tourist apartments, further reducing the availability of housing for locals. Additionally, migrants are disproportionately impacted by high rents due to their limited financial resources.
Spain’s housing market is also facing challenges from a lack of public housing. According to the OECD, public housing makes up less than 2% of all housing stock in Spain—far lower than the EU average of 7%. In contrast, other European countries such as France (14%), Britain (16%), and the Netherlands (34%) have much higher levels of public housing.
Proposals for Change: Rent Strike and Policy Measures
At the heart of the protest, Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Barcelona Tenants Union, called for a “rent strike”, urging tenants to stop paying rent until landlords agree to reduce prices. “We can’t keep asking authorities for answers,” Arcarazo said, “We must take the reins of the situation. If they (the owners) won’t lower the rent, then we will force them to do it.”
The growing discontent is placing pressure on Spain’s government—a coalition led by the Socialist Party—which oversees both national and regional housing policies. Last month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened a housing summit with government officials and real estate developers, but the Barcelona Tenants Union boycotted the event, accusing it of being ineffective, much like inviting tobacco companies to a summit on curing cancer.
Government Response and Rent Control Measures
To address the crisis, the government has implemented a rent cap mechanism for regions with the highest rental pressures. Catalonia, the region that includes Barcelona, was the first to apply these rent controls, limiting rent increases in downtown Barcelona. Under the system, regions are authorized to cap rents based on a price index established by the Housing Ministry.
However, many argue that these measures have not gone far enough to address the root causes of the housing crisis. Additionally, the government is also under increasing pressure to reduce the influence of short-term tourist rentals on the local housing market. In response to growing public concern, Barcelona’s city officials have pledged to phase out 10,000 tourist apartments by 2028, as part of an effort to free up more housing for long-term residents.
The Broader Housing Crisis in Spain
The housing protests in Barcelona are part of a wider trend across Spain, which has seen similar demonstrations in other cities, including Madrid. A month prior to the Barcelona protest, tens of thousands rallied in Madrid against rising rents. The broader housing crisis in Spain mirrors the struggles faced by many urban centers globally, where rising property prices and stagnant wages create a growing divide between the wealthy and the rest of the population.
Looking Ahead
The housing crisis in Spain shows no signs of abating, and protests like the one in Barcelona reflect the deepening frustration felt by renters across the country. As housing affordability becomes an increasingly urgent issue, the pressure on the Spanish government to implement more comprehensive reforms will likely intensify.
The EU’s Urban Agenda and the OECD’s Housing Report both emphasize the need for more affordable housing, particularly in cities like Barcelona, where the demand for living space is high. How Spain’s government responds to the demands for change, including stricter rent controls and investment in public housing, will shape the future of the country’s housing market and determine whether the ongoing protests can lead to meaningful change.
References:
- Bank of Spain Report on Housing and Rent in Spain
- OECD Housing Report: Public Housing in Spain
- Idealista Real Estate Price Index
