Spain's minority coalition government has approved a sweeping package of emergency housing measures, including a ban on evictions until 2030, in a direct legislative response to a mounting housing crisis and widespread public protests. The cabinet's decision on Tuesday follows intense nationwide demonstrations that were galvanized last week by the high-profile eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her long-term home in Madrid.
The newly approved measures, presented in the form of two executive decrees, take effect immediately but must secure approval from Spain's Congress within 30 days. The leftist government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, hopes to bring the decrees to a parliamentary vote as early as this Friday. However, because the coalition of Sánchez's Socialists and the junior partner Sumar alliance lacks a legislative majority, passing the measures will require navigating a deeply divided parliament.
The administration has struggled in the past to get right-leaning parties to approve previous housing decrees, including a measure in April that sought to roll over rental contracts but was ultimately blocked.
Announcing the executive action, Health Minister Mónica GarcÃa, a prominent figure in the Sumar alliance, stated that the new regulations would bring vital relief to more than five million people across the country. GarcÃa directly acknowledged the impact of the public outcry, expressing gratitude to the grassroots housing movements and the tent encampments that have occupied public spaces.
She emphasized that without these mobilizations, the government's swift intervention would not have been possible. GarcÃa declared that it was time to intervene in what she described as a speculative housing market, aiming to restore a balance between ordinary citizens and corporate investment entities, which she referred to as "vulture funds."
Other key provisions in the approved decrees include the automatic rolling over of existing rental contracts until 2028, stricter regulations governing short-term and room rentals, and a complete ban on the purchase of residential housing by investment firms. Social Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy, also of the Sumar alliance, hailed the cabinet's decision as "a first step towards the economic and social transformation of the country." Sumar had entered the negotiations with Sánchez's Socialists determined to take a firm stand on housing reform, a core issue for the left-wing platform, pushing the coalition talks down to the wire ahead of Tuesday's cabinet meeting.
Despite the optimism on the left, the bold measures have drawn immediate criticism from opposition politicians. MÃriam Nogueras, spokeswoman for the center-right Catalan nationalist party Junts, argued that the agreement leaves "small landlords out in the cold." While Nogueras agreed that evictions should be stopped when the property is owned by multi-million-euro investment funds, she criticized the government's broad approach. Speaking to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, Nogueras argued that lumping everyday citizens who invested their savings in a flat, a restaurant, or a property into the same category as corporate vulture funds is a major mistake.
The center-right Junts party and other right-leaning factions are traditionally reluctant to intervene in the housing market, particularly when regulations favor tenants over landlords, who represent a key segment of their electorate.
The political urgency surrounding the decrees was underscored by Housing Minister Isabel RodrÃguez, who urged all political parties in Congress to support the measures. RodrÃguez cited the tragic case of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from her Madrid apartment on a stretcher last Wednesday. RodrÃguez stated that Congress now has the opportunity to show Abascal that her suffering was worth it and that millions of people will benefit from her battle.
Abascal's father had first rented the apartment in 1956, and she had continued to live there under a rent cap after her parents passed away. However, in 2018, the investment company UrbagestÃon purchased the property and subsequently raised the monthly rent beyond her monthly pension, leaving her unable to pay.
While the government frames the decrees as a victory, housing activists insist that the struggle is far from over. Valeria Racu, a spokeswoman for the Madrid Tenants' Union, stated that the battle has "only just begun" and called for more protests across Spain next weekend. Another spokeswoman for the organization, Alicia del RÃo, added that activists are closely examining the small print of the text to ensure that the legislation truly delivers on the promises inspired by Abascal's case.
Protests have already spread from Madrid to other major cities, including Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, and Cadiz. On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators marched through the capital to demand stronger tenant protections amid a severe housing shortage and skyrocketing rents, with hundreds of tents subsequently pitched in the iconic Puerta del Sol public square.
The housing crisis is backed by stark economic indicators. The Bank of Spain estimates that the country faces a shortage of 700,000 homes, driven by a massive gap between housing demand and new construction. According to the national statistics institute INE, house prices in Spain surged by 12.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. Furthermore, data from real estate firm Idealista indicates that rental costs rose by 8.5% in 2025, with Madrid experiencing a 9.7% spike. Barcelona and Madrid remain the most expensive cities in Spain to rent a home, with average costs reaching €23.80 per square meter and €22.70 per square meter, respectively.
As the political battle moves to Congress, local actions continue to reflect the high tension surrounding housing security. In the north-eastern city of Zaragoza, another eviction was temporarily suspended on Tuesday. Esmeralda Tejero, a 51-year-old woman who has lived in her apartment for eight years with her 11-year-old daughter, had stopped paying rent because she could no longer afford it alongside daily living costs. The suspension of her eviction highlights the ongoing, localized struggles that have fueled the national momentum behind the new legislative package.
'Sometimes I want to cry': Eviction in a pandemic
Dramatic eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage
Related Articles
Meet Md. Rubel Rana
​As a core contributor to Worlddincidents.com, Rubel Rana brings a unique perspective to the world of journalism. Whether it’s deep-diving into historical trivia or covering the latest global headlines, Rubel Rana is committed to delivering high-quality, high-impact articles. Their writing blends meticulous research with a compelling voice, helping readers stay informed and curious about the world around them.