Spain repopulation programmes

Arbancón, in the province of Guadalajara, is a small Spanish village that is actively looking for new residents.

The Catalan government has approved a decree‑law to simplify urban planning in rural municipalities and encourage housing development in small towns. The measure aims to cut bureaucracy, adapt planning rules to local needs and tackle depopulation across around 590 rural municipalities. It introduces a new planning model tailored to councils with limited technical capacity – designed to streamline procedures and provide more effective tools to promote housing and economic activity.

In sparsely populated inland Spain, the village of Arenillas is testing a very direct response to rural decline.

When people talk about Magic Towns in Spain, they’re not just talking about pretty villages with a nice view and a decent lunch spot.

Across much of inland Spain, villages have been losing residents for decades. La Rioja is among the regions where shrinking populations are putting pressure on schools, health services and local businesses.

Galera is a small village in northern Granada province, with just over 1,130 people on the books. What sets it apart locally is that it’s growing, while nearby villages are quietly emptying out.

Salto de Castro, a village in Zamora that has lain abandoned for more than 30 years, is set for a remarkable comeback thanks to American entrepreneur Jason Lee Beckwith.

The depopulation of rural Spain, often called España vaciada or 'Empty Spain', is a long-standing issue.

The phenomenon known as 'España vaciada', or 'Empty Spain', refers to the demographic shift leaving many of the country's rural areas sparsely populated. This trend presents a continuing social and economic challenge for the nation.

Tucked away in western Spain, Extremadura is quietly carving a name for itself as one of the more intriguing spots for remote workers eyeing a change of scene.

Imagine if you could get paid just for deciding to settle in a particular Spanish village. In some corners of Spain, it’s become a genuine offer. A steady trickle of locals towards the cities has left many rural areas nearly deserted.

If you’re dreaming of a new adventure in sunny southern Spain, Paymogo might just catch your eye. With a population of only around 1,100 residents, this small town near the Portuguese border is now taking bold steps to welcome newcomers.

Spain's villages and rural areas have been suffering depopulation for decades, threatening to leave their streets and houses deserted and empty. This is why this problem has been aptly named: "Empty Spain". Around 40% of villages are at risk of depopulation.