Tens of thousands of people marched through Madrid’s city center to protest against soaring rents and a lack of affordable homes in Spain. The demonstrations come as the country struggles with a housing shortage exacerbated by a tourism boom.
Average rent prices have doubled, while house prices have increased by 44% over the past decade, outpacing salary growth. The supply of rentals has halved since 2020, making it difficult for people to find affordable housing.
Spain’s lack of public housing is particularly concerning, with only 2% of available housing being rented by the government. Other European countries, such as France and the UK, have invested in public housing, which makes up a significant portion of their total housing stock.
Tourists are also contributing to the problem, as many landlords find it more profitable to rent to tourists or foreigners for short periods rather than long-term tenants. This has led to a shortage of affordable rentals, leaving many families and individuals struggling to find a place to call home.
The government’s efforts to balance tourism with affordability have failed, and activists are demanding action to protect housing rights. As one resident stated, “They’re kicking all of us out to make tourist flats.” The situation is dire, and protesters are calling for change to ensure that everyone has access to affordable housing.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/5/demonstrators-rally-across-spain-to-protest-against-housing-crisis