Thousands of people marched through central Madrid on Sunday to protest soaring housing costs, chanting slogans and waving banners as they demanded stronger government action over Spain’s deepening housing crisis.
The demonstration, organised by the Madrid Tenants’ Union under the slogan ‘Housing costs us our lives. Lower rents’, drew support from Spain’s two main trade unions, UGT and CCOO. Protesters carried signs defending the right to housing, with one banner reading: ‘We want neighbours, not tourists.’ ALSO READ: Spanish government to limit short-term rentals and tourist flats to address housing crisis.
Housing has become one of the most pressing concerns for voters in Spain, where rents and property prices have surged in recent years, particularly in Madrid, Barcelona and coastal regions.
Analysts say demand has increased because of tourism and population growth linked to immigration, while the supply of affordable and public rental housing has failed to keep pace. ALSO READ: Spain’s population reaches all-time high of 49.4 million, driven by immigration.
Organisers estimated that more than 100,000 people joined the march, although the central government’s delegate in Madrid put attendance at around 23,000.
‘Housing measures, although some are moving in the right direction, are advancing at a snail’s pace, while the housing crisis is escalating rapidly,’ CCOO secretary general Unai Sordo told reporters before the march began.
Average rents in Spain have doubled over the past decade, according to property portal Idealista, far outstripping salary growth. Eurostat data showed housing costs rose nearly 13% year-on-year at the end of 2025.
The Bank of Spain estimates the country faces a shortfall of around 700,000 homes, after the creation of new households significantly outpaced construction between 2021 and 2025.
Many young Spaniards say buying a home or even renting independently has become impossible.
Housing has emerged as one of socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s main political vulnerabilities ahead of the next general election in 2027, despite Spain’s recent economic growth.
In February, Sánchez unveiled a new public investment fund which he said could mobilise 120 billion euros to help tackle the housing crisis. ALSO READ: Spanish government pledges €23bn for ‘Spain is growing’ fund to help tackle housing crisis.
Last month, the government also approved a separate 7 billion euro package aimed at building more public housing over the next four years and helping young renters and first-time buyers.
However, frustration has continued to grow after a separate decree that would have extended temporary rent freezes failed to pass through Parliament.
Calls for tighter restrictions on tourist apartments have also intensified in recent years, with critics arguing that the rapid expansion of holiday rentals has pushed local residents out of city centres. Spain received a record 97 million international visitors last year. ALSO READ: Spain’s national register for tourist rentals struck down by court.
Sunday’s housing protest came just one day after tens of thousands of people gathered in Madrid for a separate demonstration against Sánchez over corruption allegations and broader dissatisfaction with his government, underlining growing political tensions in Spain. ALSO READ: Andalusia leaves Sánchez politically weakened as Spain edges further towards a PP-Vox era.
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#LaViviendaNosCuestaLaVida 📸 📍Madrid
— Comisiones Obreras (@CCOO) May 24, 2026
Trabajamos para vivir, no para pagar alquileres e hipotecas imposibles.
Frente a la especulación, ¡toca organizarnos y salir a la calle! pic.twitter.com/fmgiMZ6Zrx
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