Mass protests erupt in Spain over tourist rentals

Spain: Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Spain on 5 April to demand action on the country’s  housing crisis, which demonstrators partly blame on the growth of short-term tourist rentals.

Coordinated marches took place in more than 40 cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, with organisers estimating over 150,000 people attended in the capital alone. Protesters rattled keychains — a symbolic gesture representing the demand for accessible homes — while chanting slogans such as: “No matter who governs, we must defend housing rights.”

Activists and housing campaigners say the boom in short-term rentals has driven up housing costs in major cities and tourist destinations, contributing to a severe shortage of affordable long-term housing. According to national data, average rents in Spain have doubled over the past decade, while property prices have risen by 44%, significantly outpacing wage growth. The available supply of rental properties has also halved since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Spain welcomed a record 94 million international tourists in 2024. Protesters argue that the influx of visitors — and the increased profitability of short-term lets — have led landlords to favour tourist accommodation over long-term tenancy agreements. The Bank of Spain estimates the national housing deficit stands at 500,000 homes.

The protests come just days after the national government enacted new legislation requiring landlords to obtain majority approval from neighbours before listing properties as tourist rentals. Local authorities in cities such as Barcelona and Valencia have also tightened restrictions in recent years to manage the impact of tourism on housing availability. The demonstrations have added pressure on policymakers to find a better balance between supporting tourism and making sure locals have access to affordable housing.