Spain housing protests grow after parliament rejects tenant protections

The Big Picture

Tens of thousands of people protested across Spain on Oct. 3, escalating pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority coalition after parliament rejected two housing decrees intended to strengthen tenant protections and curb rising housing costs.

Demonstrations took place in Madrid and roughly 50 other cities, including Barcelona and Valencia. Protesters called for lower rents, an end to evictions, restrictions on investment funds buying homes and, in some cases, a general strike over housing.

The protests followed a parliamentary defeat for Sánchez's coalition, made up of the Socialist Party and its junior partner, Sumar. On Oct. 2, the conservative People's Party, far-right Vox and the Catalan pro-independence party Junts voted against both decrees.

What Happened

The first decree failed by 178 votes to 172, while the second was rejected by 184 votes to 166. The measures included a proposed suspension of evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030, changes to rental leases, higher taxes for tourist apartments and restrictions on some purchases of residential property by investment funds.

The second decree would have provided for the automatic renewal of rental contracts, according to the BBC. Al Jazeera reported that the package also sought tighter limits on short-term rentals and measures to make real estate speculation more difficult.

Saturday's demonstrations were largely peaceful, but police in Valencia fired rubber bullets and tear gas during clashes, according to the BBC, The Guardian and Al Jazeera. About 30 protesters entered the City of Arts and Sciences before police removed them.

In Barcelona, violence later erupted during a housing protest on Oct. 6, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet said protesters set fires, built barricades and threw projectiles.

Background

The latest movement was triggered by the September eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, also identified as Maria del Carmen Abascal, from her Madrid home. She had lived there for about 70 years and was unable to afford a sharp rent increase after an investment fund or company acquired her building.

The reported scale of the increase differed among outlets. The Guardian said Abascal faced a 230% rise, while Al Jazeera reported an increase of more than 200%. Abascal later negotiated a return to the flat at a low rent, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera, but her case had already become a symbol of broader frustration over Spain's rental market.

Spain's Bank of Spain estimates the country is short of about 700,000 homes, based on the gap between demand and new construction. Figures from Spain's national statistics institute, INE, showed house prices rose 12.2% in the year to the second quarter of 2026.

What Each Side Is Saying

Tenant groups argued that parliament's rejection of the decrees deepened a crisis affecting workers, younger people and long-term renters. Demonstrators in Madrid carried signs supporting a general strike and chanted against profits from housing.

Opponents of the measures argued that regulation would not resolve the shortage. The People's Party said more construction, rather than decrees, was needed to make housing more affordable. Junts said the measures could further tighten the rental market.

Turnout estimates varied widely. The Guardian reported that authorities put the nationwide total at 70,000 people, while organizers said 500,000 took part.

What Happens Next

The defeat has fueled speculation that Sánchez could call an early general election. Spanish media reports cited by The Guardian and Al Jazeera suggested a vote could be held as early as November, although Sánchez's office did not comment. The next election was otherwise due next summer.

For now, the protests have placed housing at the center of Spain's political debate. The parliamentary vote ended the immediate legislative push, but the continuing demonstrations show that pressure for action is unlikely to fade quickly.