Spain proposes extending eviction protections until 2030 amid housing crisis

Yesterday 21:32

By: Azzat Manal

Spain proposes extending eviction protections until 2030 amid housing crisis

Spain’s coalition government has agreed on a new package of housing measures aimed at addressing the country’s worsening affordability crisis, including a proposal to extend protections against evictions until 2030 and introduce greater stability for rental contracts.

The measures were agreed within the governing coalition and are expected to be submitted to parliament, meaning their implementation will depend on the legislative process and the support needed for their approval. The package forms part of a broader government effort to improve access to housing and strengthen protections for tenants.

Among the proposals is a mechanism that would allow certain rental contracts to be automatically extended, providing tenants with greater continuity at a time when rents have risen sharply in many Spanish cities. The government has also been working on measures targeting seasonal rentals and room rentals, which have expanded in some urban and tourist markets.

Another element of the package concerns investment funds that critics describe as “vulture funds”. The government wants to restrict such investment vehicles from acquiring residential properties, reflecting concerns over the impact of speculative investment on housing affordability and the availability of long-term rental homes.

The announcement follows renewed public attention to the housing crisis after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment. Abascal had lived in the property for more than seven decades, and her removal last week triggered protests and renewed calls for stronger tenant protections.

The case became a symbol of the wider debate over housing policy and has been referred to in public discussions as the “Maricarmen decree”. Demonstrators have gathered in Madrid, including at Puerta del Sol, demanding stronger safeguards for renters and measures to curb speculation in the property market.

Spain’s housing difficulties extend well beyond individual eviction cases. The country has faced a shortage of affordable homes, while rents and property prices have increased in major cities and popular tourist destinations. The Bank of Spain has warned of a significant housing supply gap in the coming years.

The government has already adopted a broader State Housing Plan for 2026–2030, backed by €7 billion in investment. The plan aims to increase the supply of affordable and publicly supported housing while addressing speculation and expanding long-term housing options.

Earlier government proposals also included measures to regulate seasonal and room rentals, extend rental contracts and increase protections for tenants. The authorities have argued that addressing Spain’s housing problem requires both stronger tenant protections and an increase in the supply of affordable homes.

Tenant organizations have welcomed the latest proposals while stressing that they want to see the final wording of the legislation before assessing its impact. Some tenant groups have also called for additional measures, including stronger limits on rent increases.

The government’s proposals come as housing has become one of Spain’s most prominent social issues. Rising rents, limited supply and the growing pressure on households in large cities have intensified the debate over how to balance tenant protection, property rights and the need to expand the housing stock.

If approved by parliament, the new measures would represent another significant step in Spain’s housing policy, extending protections for vulnerable renters while introducing further regulation of parts of the rental and investment markets. The final scope of the reforms, however, will depend on the parliamentary process and the text ultimately adopted.