Madrid’s Renters Protest Against Rising Costs, Demand Affordable Housing Over Tourism Boom

(SeaPRwire) –   Thousands gathered in central Madrid on Sunday to protest soaring housing costs that have priced many Spaniards out of the market despite a recent economic boom, particularly in cities like the capital and Barcelona.

The housing crisis is a major political vulnerability for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of the 2027 elections.

The nation maintains a strong tradition of homeownership and lacks substantial public rental housing; rents have surged due to increased demand driven by tourism and population growth linked to immigration, analysts note.

Demonstrators waved banners and chanted slogans emphasizing their housing rights. One sign read, “We want neighbors, not tourists.”

Estrella Baudu, a 28-year-old teacher among the crowd, shared that she resides with her grandmother. “The situation for many young people like me is quite complicated, and it is very difficult to find a rental home due to the prices and low salaries,” she said.

This demonstration occurred the day following massive protests in Madrid targeting Sánchez, amid rising political friction and criticism regarding corruption allegations and government dissatisfaction.

Purchasing property in Spain has become unaffordable for many, with market speculation and pressures pushing prices upward, particularly in major cities and coastal regions.

Last month, the Spanish government enacted a comprehensive strategy worth 7 billion euros ($8.23 billion) to construct more public housing over the next four years and offer assistance to young renters and buyers, who are among the most affected by high costs.

“The government claims to be taking action, but for renters like us, the reality is receiving eviction notices from landlords seeking to raise prices abusively,” remarked protester Fernando de los Santos, a 36-year-old university professor.

A separate decree intended to extend temporary rent controls failed to pass Parliament, leaving the Sánchez administration vulnerable to further housing-related unrest in the near term.

Spaniards have staged numerous nationwide demonstrations in recent years to protest expensive rents and homes. A primary demand is stricter regulation of tourist rentals, which have expanded in city centers across Spain, a country that welcomed a record 97 million international visitors last year.

Housing prices increased by nearly 13% year-on-year by the end of 2025, according to Eurostat.

The Bank of Spain estimates the southern European nation of 50 million people is short by 700,000 homes when comparing demand to construction rates.

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Associated Press writer Suman Naishadham contributed to this report.