2026 Spanish housing protests

2026 Spanish housing protests
Top to bottom, left to right: Demonstration in Barcelona Protest camps in Madrid and Málaga Protests in Plaza de Cibeles Protester waving a red flag Protest and camp in Puerta del Sol 3 October demonstration in Madrid Demonstration near the Congress of Deputies
Date	23 September 2026 – present (1 month and 2 days)
Caused by	Affordable housing crisis Cost-of-living crisis Property speculation Landlord harassment Gentrification and overtourism Housing scandals affecting politicians (including Isabel Díaz Ayuso's penthouse controversy) Post-eviction suicide of Olga Matute Eviction of 87-year-old "Maricarmen"
Goals	Enforcement of the right to housing Access to affordable housing Protection of tenants against abusive practices and price hikes
Methods	Political demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance, sit-ins, online activism, protest camps, pot-banging protests
Status	Ongoing Maricarmen returned to her home Spanish government approves two decree-laws including housing relief measures PP, Vox and Junts vote down the government's plan in parliament Snap general election called for 29 November 2026 Sumar's member parties announce the launching of the Broad Front alliance for 17 October
Casualties
Injuries	9 police officers (as of 3 October 2026)
Arrested	8 (as of 3 October 2026)

Many protests began in Spain after the eviction of an 87-year-old, Maricarmen Abascal, on 23 September 2026. It gave new attention to the country's ongoing affordable housing crisis.

On 26 September, the protests turned into an organised protest camp at the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, in an action widely compared to the 15-M Movement in 2011, forcing the Spanish government under Pedro Sánchez to agree to an emergency relief package including a temporary ban on evictions and stronger protection for tenants amid soaring rents.

Protesters have called for the enforcement of the right to housing, access to affordable housing and increased protection of tenants against landlord abuse and price hikes.

Because of a failed measure in the Parliament of Spain to make housing affordable and the ongoing protests, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election for 29 November 2026.

References

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