Madrid – The Spanish government announced a draft housing decree that would not only tighten limits on residential evictions but also launch "structural reforms" across the housing market, according to the newspaper El País. The proposal, presented by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration, is positioned as a comprehensive response to a long‑standing affordability crisis and a surge in court‑ordered evictions.
Background
Housing affordability has become a flashpoint in Spain, where rents have risen sharply in major cities and the pandemic heightened concerns about tenancy security. Data compiled by the online outlet RUSSPAIN.com indicates that roughly 272,000 evictions have been recorded since Sánchez took office, a figure that underscores the scale of the issue.
Spain has seen 272,000 evictions under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The high number of evictions has fueled public protests and pressured the left‑wing PSOE government to act. While previous measures focused on temporary moratoria and emergency assistance, the new decree seeks to embed longer‑term safeguards into law.
Proposed Decree
Beyond the stated aim of limiting evictions, the draft decree is described by El País as containing "cambios estructurales" – structural changes – that could reshape the rental sector. The exact contents have not been disclosed in full, but officials have hinted at measures that would strengthen tenant protections, improve the allocation of social housing, and address market imbalances that contribute to housing scarcity.
The government’s housing policy is anchored in Sánchez’s broader social agenda, which emphasizes reducing inequality and expanding welfare provisions. By targeting the root causes of evictions and promoting a more balanced housing supply, the decree is intended to mitigate the risk of social unrest and align Spain with European Union directives on housing rights.
Outlook
Legislators will now debate the draft in the Cortes Generales, where opposition parties are expected to scrutinise both the eviction limits and the wider reform package. Industry groups representing landlords have warned that overly restrictive measures could deter investment in rental properties, while tenant organisations have welcomed the prospect of more durable protections.
If adopted, the decree would mark the most extensive overhaul of Spain’s housing framework in a decade, setting a precedent for other EU nations grappling with similar affordability challenges. Analysts say its impact will hinge on the specifics of the structural reforms and the government’s ability to secure parliamentary support.
