Tens of thousands protest soaring rents in Spain’s Barcelona

Spain’s housing crunch has intensified over the past decade, with average rents doubling and wages failing to keep up.

Demonstrators march to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in Barcelona, Spain. (AP photo)

Barcelona witnessed tens of thousands of protesters rallying on Saturday, demanding action against skyrocketing rents and the housing crisis in Spain. Demonstrators filled the streets, holding signs like “Fewer apartments for investing, more homes for living.”

Spain’s housing crunch has intensified over the past decade, with average rents doubling and wages failing to keep up. In Barcelona and Madrid, the issue is especially acute, pushing many to the brink of displacement. According to a Bank of Spain report, nearly 40% of renters spend over 40% of their income on housing, far above the EU average of 27%.

Protester Samuel Saintot, who has rented the same apartment for 15 years, expressed frustration. “Even with a decent salary, I can’t find anything affordable within 30 kilometres of the city,” he said. Many renters, especially migrants, struggle as rising rents outpace their earnings.

Spain lags behind other European countries in public housing. (AP photo)

Housing advocates cite short-term tourist rentals as a major driver of the crisis. Barcelona, a major tourist hub, has pledged to eliminate its 10,000 licensed tourist apartments by 2028 to curb the impact on locals.

Spain also lags behind other European countries in public housing, with less than 2% of its housing stock designated as public rental units, compared to the OECD average of 7%. Activists are urging authorities to increase public housing availability and enforce stricter rent controls.

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Demonstrators light flares while protesting. (AP photo)

The Tenants Union of Barcelona, which organised the protest, is advocating for more drastic measures. Spokesperson Carme Arcarazo suggested a potential “rent strike” if landlords refuse to lower rents. “We tenants must take control of the situation,” she said.

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The housing crisis has placed pressure on Spain’s Socialist-led government. While measures like rent caps have been introduced, critics argue more decisive action is needed to address the growing discontent among renters nationwide.

(With inputs from AP)

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