Spain pushes final housing decree amid eviction protests and rental reforms
The coalition government is racing to approve a housing decree that would tighten eviction protections, curb speculative fund purchases, stabilise rents and offer purchase aid to young people without savings, with a cabinet vote expected on Tuesday.
Spain’s government is hurriedly completing a housing decree designed to protect tenants from evictions, prohibit speculative buying by large investment funds, and stabilise rental agreements while providing targeted purchase assistance to young adults without savings. The PSOE-Sumar coalition has softened earlier proposals, such as speeding up construction permits, to gain broader parliamentary support. Additional items under negotiation include imposing VAT on tourist apartments, lowering VAT for permanently qualified protected housing, and reinforcing the public housing stock.
The push comes after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, which ignited nationwide protests and a camp at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Vice-president Carlos Cuerpo announced the decree will be submitted to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, with housing minister Isabel Rodríguez steering the talks. The final text must later secure a congressional vote within 30 days to become law.
Why it matters
The decree could dramatically alter Spain's rental market and housing affordability amid growing public unrest.
How this story developed
- Sep 22 Hundreds rally to stop eviction of 87-year-old tenant in Madrid
- Sep 23 The government is accelerating a stalled housing decree following the forceful eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen, aiming to secure parliamentary support.
- Sep 23 The fourth eviction attempt was carried out by police on Wednesday morning.
- Sep 25 Maricarmen was hospitalized and declined the mayor’s emergency shelter offer, opting to remain with family in Segovia.
- Sep 27 Hundreds of activists erected a tent camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol following the eviction.
- Sep 28 The government set a Tuesday deadline to present the housing decree.
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