Tens of thousands of residents filled the streets of downtown Barcelona on Saturday to protest soaring rental prices, blaming the housing crisis on a combination of stagnant incomes, short-term rentals, and tourism-driven demand.
Protesters blocked major city avenues, carrying signs with slogans like “Fewer apartments for investing, more homes for living” and “The people without homes uphold their rights.” Organizers reported over 100,000 attendees, while local police estimated around 22,000 participants.
The demonstration reflects growing discontent in Spain, where average rents have doubled over the past decade. According to real estate platform Idealista, the cost per square meter has risen from €7.20 in 2014 to €13 in 2024, with Barcelona and Madrid hit hardest. Meanwhile, wages, particularly for young people, have not kept pace in a country with persistently high unemployment.
Samuel Saintot, a long-term Barcelona resident, shared his distress after being asked to vacate his apartment of 15 years. “Even searching 30 kilometers outside the city, I can’t find anything affordable,” he said. “I earn a decent salary, yet I might have to leave the city I call home.”
A Bank of Spain report shows nearly 40% of Spanish renters allocate at least 40% of their income to housing and utilities—far above the EU average of 27%. Experts attribute the crisis to limited public housing, with Spain offering less than 2% of rental properties as social housing, compared to the OECD average of 7%.
Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for Barcelona’s Tenants Union, called for renters to consider a mass “rent strike” as a form of protest. “We can’t rely on authorities anymore. If landlords won’t lower rents, we’ll force them to,” she stated.
The Socialist-led government has introduced rent caps for areas identified as “highly stressed,” with Catalonia among the first to implement these measures. However, critics, including tenant advocacy groups, argue the policies fall short of addressing the root causes of the crisis.
Barcelona’s town hall has pledged to eliminate its 10,000 licensed tourist apartments by 2028, responding to widespread frustration over tourism’s role in driving up prices. Despite these promises, demonstrators and housing activists insist more immediate action is necessary to protect renters and ensure affordable housing for all.
The rally follows a similar protest in Madrid last month, highlighting a national crisis that continues to escalate pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and local leaders to prioritize housing reform.
