It’s not your dream flat. There’s no terrace, no spare bedroom and no light-filled living room for hosting friends. But it does offer something that, right now, may be even more valuable than extra space or luxury features: a realistic way to get a foot on the property ladder.

For Spanish economist Gonzalo Bernardos, the debate over tourist flats in Barcelona has been based on a fundamental misunderstanding. “The story has wiped out the facts,” he told a packed audience at the Círculo Ecuestre, where he discussed the real impact of banning short-term rentals.

Lamine Yamal is not only dazzling with the ball at his feet – he has now taken YouTube by storm as well. The FC Barcelona winger, one of international football’s brightest sensations at just 18, has launched his own channel on the platform, surprising millions of followers with his debut video: a house tour of the flat where he lived for the past few years before moving to his new home.

The Catalan property market ended the third quarter with a surprising trend: Girona is drawing significant international interest. Data from the Catalan real estate agents’ associations (API) show that 26% of sales in the province were to foreign buyers, far exceeding Tarragona (16%), Barcelona (14.2%) and Lleida (9.6%). No other Catalan province matches Girona’s level of international appeal.

US retail giant TJX Companies has set a date for its Spanish debut. Its European brand, TJ Maxx, will open its first store in Barcelona in spring 2026, kicking off an ambitious expansion across Spain. The store will occupy over 2,100 m² on a single floor in the Diagonal Mar shopping centre.

Illegal squatting in Spain has taken on a new profile. It is no longer limited to abandoned flats in peripheral neighbourhoods, but now includes villas with swimming pools, holiday homes, and luxury penthouses left vacant for part of the year.

Paloma Pérez Bravo, CEO of Residential at Lucas Fox, speaks exclusively to idealista/news about the latest trends shaping Spain’s luxury property market.

In the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample, at 195 Carrer València, Kim Market opened this summer. More than a traditional supermarket, it is considered the city’s first "konbini". Branded as a “Korean Market & Tasting Experience,” the store offers an immersive visit: its interior mimics a Seoul bus stop, while each aisle showcases iconic Korean products, many popularised by K-dramas or viral on TikTok.

A family in Girona believed they had finally ended the ordeal of seeing their home occupied. After months of helplessness, they used their own keys to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. But their relief lasted only a few days: a court ordered them to return the property to the squatters, ruling that the repossession had been carried out without judicial authorisation. The case has reignited debate over the legal complexities and perceived absurdities surrounding squatting in Spain.

For years, landlords avoided renting to students, fearing parties, noise and damage. Today, the situation is reversed: students are the most sought-after tenants in university cities, paying on time, staying only temporarily, and often backed financially by their parents.