Protesters demand action as housing crisis grips Spain

In early April 2025, thousands of protesters took to the streets across Spain, demonstrating against skyrocketing housing costs. Major cities including Madrid and Barcelona witnessed significant marches, reflecting widespread anger over unaffordable rents and housing prices. Housing activists, supported by labor unions, organized these demonstrations in response to the ongoing housing crisis that has deeply affected the country, where home ownership is part of the cultural fabric but public rental options are severely limited. The housing crisis in Spain is characterized by rapid rent increases and a lack of affordable homes. The average rent has nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from 7.2 euros per square meter in 2014 to 13 euros last year. This trend has affected many residents, especially young people, who find themselves living with parents or in precarious shared accommodations due to high housing costs. Many are struggling financially, with some allocating a significant percentage of their salaries to rent, which hampers their ability to save or invest in other purchases, such as cars. The mounting pressures highlight the growing discontent among renters. Despite recent measures from the central government aimed at controlling rising housing costs, such as introducing a rent cap mechanism based on a price index, these initiatives have proven insufficient in curtailing discontent. Activists have pointed to the increasing involvement of international hedge funds in the real estate market, which often buy properties for short-term rentals, exacerbating the housing crisis. Protests reflect the frustration of many renters, who argue that such measures do not adequately address the deeper issues at play in the housing market. The political atmosphere surrounding housing continues to heat up, leading to calls for stricter regulations against short-term rental practices, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. As the housing crisis persists, experts like Ignasi Martín from Esade Business School predict ongoing protests as more citizens become aware of the unsustainable nature of the current housing market in Spain. Many see these protests as a necessary expression of discontent, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the growing gap between salaries and housing costs. With a generation now facing significant impediments to stable housing, the ongoing struggle for affordable homes is likely to remain a defining issue in Spain for the foreseeable future.