Spain housing protests grow after government plan rejected in parliament
Tens of thousands marched in Madrid and other cities over soaring housing costs after MPs voted down the government's tenant protection measures, deepening pressure on Spain's minority administration.
What happened
Tens of thousands of people marched in Madrid and across Spain on Saturday 3 October to protest over the cost of housing. Demonstrators carried placards demanding a general strike, with the Madrid march organised by the Tenants' Union. The government estimated turnout in the capital at 70,000, while organisers claimed 500,000. Smaller protests were reported in cities including Palma de Mallorca, Santander, Segovia, Toledo and Valencia.
The marches took place a day after parliament rejected two government housing decrees. The measures were drawn up after public anger over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, from a Madrid flat where she had lived for more than 70 years. She was removed after an investment company sought to raise her rent by 275%, though the new owners later agreed she could return at a lower rent.
Reports say the blocked package included automatic renewal of rental contracts and limits on evicting vulnerable tenants. The decrees were voted down by the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox, as well as Junts, the Catalan separatist party whose support the government usually needs. Junts argued the measures would tighten the housing market. The result leaves Pedro Sánchez's minority government without a clear route to pass its housing plans.
Why it matters
Housing costs have become one of the main political pressures in Spain, with official data showing house prices rising at double-digit rates and one property website reporting that average rents have almost doubled in a decade, while asking prices for homes are up about 90%. Spain's statistics office said house prices rose 12.9% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, including a 13.5% rise for second-hand homes. The failed vote underlines how dependent the government is on small parties and how hard it has become to pass laws. If calls for a general strike grow, the housing movement could expand further as Spain heads towards a general election due in 2027.
The context
- The government put turnout at the Madrid march at 70,000. The organisers said 500,000 took part. Smaller protests took place in cities including Palma de Mallorca, Santander, Segovia, Toledo and Valencia.
- Two government decrees were voted down. Junts, the Catalan separatist party the government relies on, voted against them along with the Popular Party and Vox. Junts argued the measures would tighten the housing market.
- The evicted woman, Maricarmen Abascal, had lived in her Madrid flat for more than 70 years. She was evicted after an investment company tried to raise her rent by 275%. The new owners later agreed to let her return at a lower rent.
- Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) said house prices rose 12.9% year on year in the first quarter of 2026. Prices for second-hand homes rose 13.5%.
- According to the property website Idealista, average rents have almost doubled over the past decade. Asking prices for homes have risen by about 90%.