Politics · Spain · 5 hrs ago
Housing crisis takes centre stage in Spain’s snap election
Spain’s housing crisis is a central issue in the snap election called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after lawmakers rejected housing measures.
A nationwide general strike is planned for Wednesday, weeks before voters go to the polls on November 29.
Home prices rose 80% from 2015 to 2025, while salaries increased by 30%, and rents have also climbed.
The shortage is especially difficult for young people, many of whom still live with their parents because they cannot afford a home.
Spain needs 750,000 homes to address the current shortage, according to the Bank of Spain, with the gap forecast to reach one million by 2028.
Parties are offering different remedies, including building more homes, changing housing rules and taxing large property owners.
The next government will inherit the affordability crisis, while proposals to increase housing supply and regulate the rental market remain contested.
Spain is due to hold its first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, with unaffordable housing at the center of the protest and a snap election.
The strike follows nationwide protests over housing and the rejection of government housing legislation by lawmakers.
Between 2015 and 2025, average home prices in Spain rose by 80%, while salaries increased by 30%.
The Bank of Spain estimates that 750,000 homes are needed to address the current access problem.
The parties are proposing different responses, including more construction, changes to housing rules and taxes, and faster eviction procedures.
- Who
- Spanish workers are expected to take part in the general strike. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and political parties are also campaigning on housing.
- What
- Spain is due to hold its first general strike in 14 years, with unaffordable housing a central issue. A snap election is also approaching.
- When
- The strike is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The snap election is set for November 29.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- Anger over unaffordable housing and limited access to homes has fueled protests and become a major political issue. Lawmakers rejected the government’s housing legislation.
Spanish government coalition
PP, Vox and Frente Amplio
Housing policy
Spanish government coalition
The PSOE and its partners have pursued measures focused on tenants, including the state Housing Law.
PP, Vox and Frente Amplio
The PP has pledged to build one million homes and enable evictions of squatters within 48 hours; Vox proposes liberalizing land and cutting housing taxes; the Frente Amplio proposes a tax on large property owners.
Academics trace the roots of Spain’s housing crisis to large-scale investors buying property as ordinary homebuyers struggled to get mortgages.
The coalition government approved 47 laws with the status of law on housing, including 40 royal decree-laws.
The government announced housing decrees, but their approval was delayed amid parliamentary dependence on Junts and the PNV.
The eviction of Maricarmen was followed by nationwide protests, prompting a final government attempt to pass housing measures.
Lawmakers rejected the government’s housing legislation, and Sánchez decided to call an early election.
Spain is scheduled to hold its first general strike in 14 years.
- House prices
- Rose 80% in Spain between 2015 and 2025
- Wages
- Increased 30% between 2015 and 2025
- Housing shortfall
- 750,000 homes needed now, according to the Bank of Spain
- Projected deficit
- One million homes by 2028
- Government housing laws
- 47 approved between June 2018 and October 2026
- Snap election
- November 29, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Every generation has its struggle
Ours is housing, and we will solve it, backed by the strength of the people.
The cash didn’t disappear from the market; it just ended up in the hands of investors
The offer available has fallen, more sharply since the housing decrees