Spain announces ban on evictions after 87-year-old's protest

Spain's coalition government approved emergency housing measures on Tuesday after protests over the eviction of an 87‑year‑old woman from her Madrid flat. The two decrees, which take effect immediately but require congressional ratification within 30 days, include a ban on evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030 and limits on large investment firms buying residential property. Demonstrations began last week in Madrid and spread to other cities, with thousands demanding stronger tenant protections amid a severe housing shortage.

Quick summary

• Evictions of vulnerable tenants banned until 2030.
• Rental contracts may be extended until 2028.
• Purchase of homes by investment firms restricted.
• Stricter rules for short‑term and room‑by‑room lettings.
• Measures need congressional approval within 30 days, with a vote possible as early as Friday.

What happened

Maricarmen Abascal, 87, had lived in the same Madrid flat since her father first rented it in 1956. After the investment firm Urbagestión bought the property in 2018, the monthly rent rose above her pension, making payment impossible. She was removed from the apartment on a stretcher and taken to hospital, an event that triggered public outrage.

A deal was later reached allowing her to return home; the company said the rent would not exceed 30 % of her income, and she will pay €533 per month, which is less than a third of the original €1,650 demand that led to her eviction. In Zaragoza, a 51‑year‑old woman faced a temporary suspension of her eviction on Tuesday, according to the European Pressphoto Agency.

How we got here

The Bank of Spain estimates the country is short of about 700 000 homes, based on the gap between demand and new construction. House prices have risen 12.2 % in the past year, according to the national statistics institute INE for the second quarter of 2026. Rental costs increased 8.5 % in 2025, with Madrid seeing a 9.7 % rise, and Idealista reports that Barcelona and Madrid are the most expensive cities to rent, at €23.80 and €22.70 per square metre respectively.

Earlier in April, a decree aimed at rolling over rental contracts was blocked by right‑leaning parties in parliament. The current coalition, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists and the Sumar alliance, does not hold a majority and must negotiate with groups such as Junts to pass legislation. The government has scheduled a possible vote as early as this Friday and has 30 days from the decrees' publication to obtain congressional approval.

Who are the involved

Key figures driving the measures include Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Health Minister Mónica García of the Sumar alliance, Social Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy (also Sumar), and Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez of the Socialist party. These officials have presented the decrees as a response to the housing crisis and have emphasized the need to curb speculative investment.

On the opposition side, Junts spokesperson Míriam Nogueras has warned that the proposals fail to distinguish between small landlords and large vulture funds, arguing that such a blend harms ordinary property owners. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the People's Party, has dismissed the initiative, claiming the government created the problem it now seeks to solve. Tenants' Union spokespeople Valeria Racu and Alicia del Río have said the struggle is only beginning and have called for further protests and close scrutiny of the decrees' details.

What the parties are saying

Government officials have welcomed the agreement. Mónica García stated that the measures will bring relief to more than five million people and thanked the activists whose encampments in Puerta del Sol made the action possible. Pablo Bustinduy described the package as a first step toward the country's economic and social transformation, while Isabel Rodríguez urged lawmakers to support the decrees, citing Abascal's suffering as a motivation for change.

Critics have raised concerns. Nogueras argued that grouping small investors with vulture funds is a mistake and called for protections for owners with only one or two properties. Feijóo said the government's approach addresses a problem that did not exist when it took office. The Tenants' Union warned that the battle has only just begun, demanding to read the fine print and insisting that the full 'Maricarmen decree' be enacted, including a rent freeze and automatic lease renewal without abusive hikes.

Explainer

The term 'vulture funds' refers to large investment companies that buy distressed or undervalued residential assets, often with the goal of increasing rents or pursuing evictions to generate profit. In the Spanish debate, the label is used to describe firms that acquire housing portfolios and then raise costs beyond what many tenants can afford.

A 'decree' (real decreto) in Spain is a legal instrument that can take effect immediately after being approved by the cabinet, but it must be ratified by parliament within a limited period to remain law. In this case, the government also speaks of a 'rental contract rollover', which means automatically extending existing leases under the same terms for a set period, preventing sudden rent increases when contracts expire.

Impacts and why it matters

If approved, the measures could protect over five million vulnerable tenants from eviction until 2030, as suggested by Health Minister Mónica García. The ban on investment firms purchasing homes aims to curb speculative buying that has driven up prices, though critics such as Nogueras warn that small landlords who rely on rental income may be unintentionally harmed.

The situation also highlights broader affordability issues: single‑income households increasingly struggle to meet rent, a point illustrated by former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who said she had to move in with a relative after 15 years because her income no longer covered the cost. The debate reflects a tension between strengthening tenant rights and preserving property owners' interests, with the final outcome depending on congressional support and possible future protests.

What comes next

The government has 30 days from the publication of the two decrees to reach an agreement in parliament. A special parliamentary session has been requested for this Friday in the hope of securing a swift vote; if the decrees are passed, they will become law, otherwise they may lapse or require revision.

Activist groups, including the Tenants' Union, have announced plans for additional protests next weekend to maintain pressure on legislators. They will also monitor the fine print of the approved texts to ensure the measures match the demands raised during the demonstrations, while negotiations with Junts and other parties continue to shape the final legislation.