Politics · Spain · 1 hr ago
Spain has urbanized land for 6.7 million homes, but much of it is unused
Spain’s housing shortage is severe: the Bank of Spain says 750,000 homes are needed now, with the shortfall expected to reach one million by 2028.
But technical data from the Housing Ministry indicates that already urbanized land could hold 6.7 million homes, including 1.5 million in cities with the most pressured housing markets.
Researchers argue that the main problem is not a lack of land, but vacant plots that are not being developed.
Much of this land was acquired during the property boom and is now held by investment funds or Sareb, whose owners may be reluctant to sell or build.
The researchers propose measures such as deadlines for development, compulsory sales or public acquisition to bring the land into use.
Some local governments already use compulsory measures: Lorca has expropriated a plot for 17 homes, while Barcelona can begin expropriation after land has been idle for two years.
The aim is to turn unused urban land into housing, including homes for protected housing programmes.
Spain has urbanized land with the potential to build up to 6.7 million homes, according to information from the Ministry of Housing cited by La Vanguardia.
Experts say much of this land remains unused and should be brought to market rather than developing new land.
The land could accommodate 1.5 million homes in cities with the most strained housing prices.
Researchers estimate vacant land in Madrid could hold 350,000 homes and land in Barcelona 142,000.
Some municipalities are using compulsory measures to make vacant land available for housing.
- Who
- Researchers Ignacio Ezquiaga and Josep Maria Aguirre Font argue that unused urbanized land should be mobilized.
- What
- Spain has urbanized land with potential for up to 6.7 million homes, but much of it is unused.
- When
- The estimates include vacant land at the end of 2025; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Cartagena and Lorca.
- Why
- Landowners may be holding back sites because selling or developing them could reduce their investment returns, or because they hope to sell later at a higher price.
- Who
- Researchers Ignacio Ezquiaga and Josep Maria Aguirre Font argue that unused urbanized land should be mobilized.
- What
- Spain has urbanized land with potential for up to 6.7 million homes, but much of it is unused.
- When
- The estimates include vacant land at the end of 2025; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Cartagena and Lorca.
- Why
- Landowners may be holding back sites because selling or developing them could reduce their investment returns, or because they hope to sell later at a higher price.
Experts advocating a new land law
Experts advocating the use of vacant urbanized land
Approach
Experts advocating a new land law
Some experts support a new law to speed up housing construction.
Experts advocating the use of vacant urbanized land
Ignacio Ezquiaga and Josep Maria Aguirre Font say existing urbanized land should be mobilized.
Need for new land rules
Experts advocating a new land law
They argue that a new law could help accelerate construction.
Experts advocating the use of vacant urbanized land
They say Spain already has enough classified land and that making unused sites available is the priority.
A supply of urbanized but undeveloped land has remained unused.
Vacant land was estimated to have capacity for 350,000 homes in Madrid and 142,000 in Barcelona.
La Vanguardia reported that Spain has urbanized land with capacity for up to 6.7 million homes.
- Potential homes nationwide
- Up to 6.7 million
- Potential homes in cities with the most strained prices
- 1.5 million
- Madrid vacant land capacity
- 350,000 homes
- Barcelona vacant land capacity
- 142,000 homes
- Lorca compulsory expropriation
- Land acquired to build 17 homes
What people are saying
we should establish mechanisms to bring them to market
vacant land
land in dead hands
Sources
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