On Saturday, huge crowds marched in more than 40 cities across Spain to protest against rising rents and the shortage of affordable housing. In Madrid alone, over 150,000 people joined the demonstrations, demanding fair housing policies and action from the government, reported by Reuters news agency.
Spain, despite having one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, is facing a serious housing crisis. Average rent prices have doubled in the last 10 years, while house prices have jumped by 44%, according to the property site Idealista. In contrast, salaries have not kept pace, and many people are struggling to find affordable homes.
The situation has worsened due to the boom in tourism and short-term rental platforms, which have taken over homes once meant for locals. “They’re kicking all of us out to make tourist flats,” said Margarita Aizpuru, a 65-year-old resident from Madrid’s Lavapiés area. She said nearly 100 families in her building had been told their rental contracts would not be renewed.
Activists and housing groups blame the government for weak regulations that allow landlords to prefer tourists over long-term tenants. Tourists and migrants coming to Spain for jobs or travel are increasing demand while supply stays low. Spain welcomed a record 94 million tourists in 2024, making it the second most-visited country in the world.
Despite the rising demand, only about 120,000 new homes are built each year—far below what is needed. The Bank of Spain estimates that the country faces a housing shortage of at least 500,000 homes.
Wendy Davila, 26, shared her frustration: “It can’t be that to live in Madrid you have to share an apartment with four other people. It’s not just the city center anymore—it’s everywhere.”
Protesters vow to keep fighting for fair housing for all.
