Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Madrid on Sunday to demand urgent government action against Spain’s escalating housing crisis. The protest, organised by Habitat 24, a platform of nearly 40 collectives, highlighted the dire impact of skyrocketing housing prices and rising rent. The march began in Atocha and concluded at Puerta del Sol, home to the Madrid regional government headquarters. Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans, calling for an end to evictions and the implementation of housing reforms.
According to official estimates, the protest drew around 15,000 participants, while the Tenants’ Union claimed the turnout exceeded 50,000 people. Protesters raised their keys as a symbolic gesture, and an inflatable metallic key led the march, underscoring the demand for affordable and dignified housing. “Housing is not a market commodity, it is a right,” organisers reiterated in their manifesto, criticising the government’s lack of action.
Housing Prices Hit Record Highs
Spain’s housing prices continue to surge, making homeownership and rentals increasingly unaffordable. The National Statistics Institute (INE) reported a record average price of €2,086 per square metre in 2024, surpassing the highs seen in 2006 and 2007 during Spain’s housing boom. In Madrid, the average cost of renting a single room reached €586 per month in December 2024, according to data from Fotocasa, one of Spain’s major property portals.
Many demonstrators, including young professionals, shared stories of housing insecurity. Gabi Biancotti, a 25-year-old graphic designer, expressed her frustration. “Even with a permanent job, I can’t save enough to move out of my parents’ rental home,” she explained. The protest also highlighted data from the Bank of Spain, showing that youth homeownership has declined significantly, with only 14.8% of young Spaniards under 30 successfully achieving independence, the lowest figure on record.
Young Generations Struggle Amid Economic Pressure
Young people in Spain are facing multiple barriers to homeownership and stable living conditions, ranging from unstable housing to inadequate wages. The Youth Council of Spain reported that 45.7% of young people have moved between two to four homes since leaving their family residences, often sharing accommodations due to high rent prices. “I’m 35, and even with a decent salary, I can’t afford the down payment for a home,” said Ángel Torres, who works in the metal industry. “It’s frustrating to see investors buy properties outright while locals like me can’t even rent affordably.”
Criticism of Madrid’s Regional Government
The organisers of the protest did not hold back in their criticism of the regional government of Madrid, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso. They accused the administration of favouring real estate investors and speculative funds over ordinary citizens. Demonstrators chanted slogans against Ayuso, highlighting the increasing rate of evictions without proper relocation options. One sign read, “These people evict us while others get rich.”
The protest also attracted prominent politicians from Spain’s left-wing parties, including Reyes Maroto from the Socialist Party (PSOE) and Ione Belarra, the general secretary of Podemos. Belarra warned that the national government would struggle to pass the next General State Budget unless housing market reforms, including rent control, were implemented.
Calls for Comprehensive Housing Reforms
The demonstrators presented a list of demands aimed at addressing the housing crisis, including the enforcement of price caps under Spain’s national housing law, the creation of a 30% public housing reserve, and the rehabilitation of unused properties. They also called for the suspension of evictions without relocation options, restrictions on short-term rental licences, and prioritised support for vulnerable communities such as those in Cañada Real and San Fernando.
Moreover, they urged policymakers to prevent the criminalisation of individuals facing housing instability, stating that many cases of illegal occupation are driven by economic desperation rather than criminal intent. “We are witnessing the social collapse of a system that prioritises profits over people’s basic needs,” said one of the protest organisers.
Government Response and Next Steps
While the government has yet to issue a detailed response to the protest, housing reform advocates are hopeful that continued pressure will push authorities to implement effective policies. The demonstrators warned that if their demands remain unmet, future protests could escalate, potentially disrupting the upcoming legislative agenda.
As the housing crisis deepens, organisers believe that comprehensive reforms are the only way to prevent a further decline in living standards and homeownership rates. Their message was clear: “Spain’s future depends on the ability of its leaders to prioritise citizens over investors.”
