housing protests Spain

Spain revives eviction freeze after 87-year-old forced from home

Spain’s government has revived a package of rental and eviction protections after the removal of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid flat where she had lived for 71 years drew public attention to the country’s housing crisis.The main housing decree, Royal Decree-law 26/2026, was published
Block of flats

This is the regulation that prohibits funds from buying homes for up to 70% of their value and bans evictions until 2030.

The first of two housing decrees approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday restricts, until December 31, 2028, the ability of any investment fund to purchase homes for less than 70% of their appraised value. The prohibition covers both occupied properties and residential buildings with a certificate of completion. Furthermore, it limits the definition of a "vulture fund" to any entity, with or without legal personality, whose corporate purpose includes the acquisition of real estate.
Kitchen of a house

Optionality as a strategy for investing in housing

Institutional investors in Spain's residential market are increasingly focused on flexibility, operational control and multiple exit options rather than simply acquiring a defensive asset. According to Noelia Rosón, CEO of Testa Homes, value now lies in creating investment models that can adapt to changing market conditions, property performance and regulation. This approach, known as optionality, aims to prepare assets to respond effectively to future uncertainty.
Villa for sale in the Balearic Islands

Germans lead foreign mortgages in Spain as Swiss demand grows

German buyers remain the leading non-resident nationality seeking mortgages to purchase property in Spain. According to idealista/hipotecas data, Germans accounted for 15.6% of applications in the second quarter, ahead of Britons at 10.6%. Swiss applicants ranked third with 9.4%, followed by the French (9.1%), Dutch (8.3%) and Americans (5.9%). Most demand was concentrated in the Valencian Community and Andalusia.
when they change the clocks

When do the clocks change in Spain in autumn 2026?

The clocks change every autumn in Spain, bringing with it a recurring question: when do the clocks change, and how will it affect daily life? The adjustment is linked to the return to standard time and is implemented simultaneously across European Union countries.
School calendar

Spain's school holidays 2026–27: term dates and regional breaks

As the 2026–2027 school year approaches, some regions in Spain have already started confirming their term dates. School calendars can be a bit of a minefield here, especially with each autonomous community setting its own schedule on top of the national holidays that everyone enjoys. While
best cities in the world for a workcation

This Spanish city ranks among the world's best for a workcation

The latest Work from Anywhere barometer from International Workplace Group (IWG) identifies the cities offering the best conditions for combining remote work with holidays or short stays in 2026. Barcelona is the only Spanish city to feature on the podium, ranking third worldwide thanks to its international connectivity, transport infrastructure, accommodation options and availability of flexible workspaces. Bangkok tops the global ranking, followed by Tokyo.
Investing in housing in Barcelona: towards long-term residential rentals

Investing in Barcelona housing for long-term rentals

Barcelona combines established investment districts with emerging neighbourhoods that continue to attract buyers. As the market evolves, long-term residential rentals are becoming a more popular strategy. However, according to Rebeca Pérez, CEO and founder of Inviertis, investors must consider the wider economic and regulatory context before purchasing. With interest rates still relatively high and rental regulations changing, financing costs and local rules remain key factors when assessing opportunities.
A person on a platform at Madrid Puerta de Atocha - Almudena Grandes station, July 31, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. Renfe will face the August holiday exodus with minimum services of 73% on high-speed trains.

Spain welcomes 46.6 million visitors by June

Spain welcomed nearly 46.6 million international visitors in the first half of the year, up 4.6% compared with the same period in 2025. According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), foreign tourist spending reached €63.8 billion between January and June, representing a 7% year-on-year increase and highlighting the continued strength of Spain's tourism sector.
Spain global reputation survey

Spain beats UK, Germany and France in global reputation ranking

Spain has ranked 12th among the world’s 60 largest economies for international reputation in the RepCore Nations 2026 study, placing ahead of the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States.The study, based on public-opinion surveys in 36 countries, describes Spain’s overall reputation as
Student residence

DWS sees student housing and flex living as top investments in Spain

In Spain’s residential market, the gap between supply and demand has pushed rents more than 40% above pre-pandemic levels, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona, according to the latest DWS Real Estate report. As a result, investors must be increasingly selective. DWS identifies affordable housing developed with local authorities, student accommodation and flex living schemes for short- and medium-term stays as some of the most attractive opportunities in the current market.
Photo by Helloquence on Unsplash

IBI tax explained

Unbeknownst to most non-resident property owners, when buying property in Spain, you automatically become liable to pay IBI tax the following year. No one will give you a heads-up on this tax, so it is up to you to find out how much you owe and comply with your local Tax Authorities.
¿Cómo saber el valor fiscal de un inmueble?

Taxes on selling property in Spain

Continuing with last week's article (Taxes on buying property in Spain), in today’s article, we focus on the taxes sellers need to face.Capital Gains Tax Plusvalia TaxCapital Gains Tax This tax is paid to the central government, to the Spanish Tax Office (AEAT).CGT is taxed on th
Find out what taxes you have to pay when you buy a new or used home in Spain / Pixabay

Taxes on buying property in Spain

Taxes in Spain differ depending on whether you are buying a new-build (from a developer) or resale property (second-hand property or reventa, in Spanish). In addition to the above, taxes are not uniform in Spain.
Brussels expands investigation into Spain for discriminating against non-resident citizens in the rental deduction

Spain criticised for tax discrimination on non‑resident landlords

The European Commission has expanded an investigation launched seven years ago into Spain’s treatment of non‑resident taxpayers, who are excluded from income tax reductions on rental income. While resident taxpayers can benefit from a reduction of up to 60% on taxable rental income, non‑residents are not eligible for this deduction, according to the Commission.
Buildings in Madrid

Spain strengthens position as south Europe’s most dynamic property market

Spain has reinforced its standing as a leading destination for real estate investment – with €6.39bn recorded in the first quarter, according to Colliers. This figure surpasses the combined total for Italy, France and Portugal, highlighting the market’s strength. Beyond southern Europe, Spain is also emerging as one of the most dynamic real estate hubs across the EMEA region – with strong performance driven by the living, retail and hotel sectors.
New rules for traveling with pets

Travelling with your pet? EU rules updated on 22 April

Travelling with a dog or cat always involves more than just packing a suitcase. In addition to the carrier and food, you need to check vaccinations, documentation and your destination country's regulations. From April 2026, these procedures will be more clearly defined throughout the European Union, following the update of the legal framework governing pet travel between member states. From now on, you must have the following documents: a European pet passport, mandatory microchip identification and proof of current rabies vaccination.
Building for sale in Madrid

Spain joins Europe’s top tier for real estate investment

Spain has increased its share of European real estate investment, rising from 6% in 2019 to 15% in 2025, thus entering the "European top tier," according to the Spanish Association of Real Estate Consultants (ACI). In a comparative study, the association emphasises that the Spanish market "has moved from a secondary position to consolidate its place among the leading players in European real estate investment" and confirms its third-place ranking, after Germany (28%) and France (18%). Italy occupies fourth place (11%).