Spanish government issues decrees against housing shortage
After nationwide protests, the Sánchez government is adopting new measures to protect tenants and combat evictions.
Quick Look
- The Spanish government is responding to massive protests against housing shortages with new decrees.
- Forced evictions for the socially disadvantaged will be suspended until 2030, rental contracts will be extended and purchases by real estate funds will be prohibited until 2028.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Spanish government is responding to nationwide protests against the precarious housing market situation and the eviction of an 87-year-old tenant.
The government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has introduced changes to the housing and tenancy law by decree. This is the coalition's response to nationwide protests against the increasingly precarious situation on the housing market in Spain.
At the weekend, tens of thousands of people protested against housing shortages and forced evictions in several Spanish cities. For three days, demonstrators have been occupying the square in front of the headquarters of the Madrid regional government with an illegal protest camp.
The reason for the mass protests was the forced eviction from Maricarmen Abascal's rented apartment in the capital. The 87-year-old had lived there for 70 years. Her fate sparked sympathy, indignation and anger throughout Spain. Maricarmen Abascal has now been able to return to her previous apartment. The lawyer said this was the result of several hours of negotiations with the owners.
Evictions will be suspended until 2030
The decrees that have now been passed stipulate that residential evictions will be suspended until 2030 if socially disadvantaged people are affected and no alternative housing is available for them. Expiring rental contracts will also be automatically extended until December 31, 2028 under one of the decrees and large real estate funds will be banned from buying residential buildings in Spain until 2028.
The second decree stipulates that rental contracts are made permanent. So far these have run for a maximum of eight years in Spain. The tenant and landlord can then negotiate a new contract. With the decree, tenants could then insist on the continued existence of their contract.
Confirmation in Parliament is still pending
In Spain, a government decree comes into force upon publication, but must be confirmed by Parliament within a month. Sánchez's minority government needs supporters there, but some of them have different ideas. Nevertheless, the government requested a parliamentary vote for Friday.
Due to the nationwide protests, Sánchez could now hope for approval - because the measures are among the basic demands of the tens of thousands of Spaniards who are protesting against the situation on the housing market.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Parliament vote on the decrees on Friday.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Parliament confirm the decrees on Friday?
- How are real estate funds reacting to the purchase ban?
