A massive wave of public outrage surged through Spain on April 5, as demonstrators in more than 40 cities took to the streets, protesting the country’s growing housing crisis and the unchecked spread of short-term tourist rentals. From Madrid to Barcelona, Seville to Valencia, citizens turned out in the tens of thousands, demanding urgent government action to ensure access to affordable homes.

In Madrid alone, an estimated 150,000 people flooded the city’s central avenues, carrying banners and chanting slogans against speculative property practices and what they describe as a system that prioritizes profit over people. Many protesters decried the transformation of entire neighborhoods into hubs for tourist apartments, displacing long-time residents and driving up rental prices.

Spain has witnessed a dramatic spike in housing costs over the last decade. According to housing rights groups and economic analysts, average rental prices across the country have doubled, while home purchase prices have increased by more than 44%. These soaring figures stand in stark contrast to stagnant wage growth, leaving many Spaniards—particularly young people and low-income families—struggling to find stable, affordable housing.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by a robust tourism sector, which, while economically beneficial, has intensified housing shortages in popular cities and coastal towns. Many landlords have converted traditional long-term rental properties into more lucrative short-term vacation rentals, catering to tourists rather than residents. Since 2020, available rental stock has dropped by approximately 50%, putting even more pressure on an already strained market.

The Bank of Spain recently reported a housing shortfall of nearly half a million homes, citing increased demand from both local population growth and international migration. This shortage, paired with speculative investment in real estate, has created what many demonstrators describe as a “perfect storm” of displacement and unaffordability.

Facing mounting pressure from housing advocates, the Spanish government has started to respond. A new legislative measure now requires property owners to secure at least 60% approval from neighbors and fellow building residents before establishing a tourist flat. The regulation aims to give more control to communities and prevent the saturation of tourist rentals in residential buildings.

However, protesters argue that such measures are not enough. Many are calling for a broader overhaul of housing policy, including stronger rent controls, public investment in affordable housing, and stricter regulation of property speculation and tourist rental platforms. The sentiment across the marches was clear: housing should be treated as a fundamental right, not a commodity.

As demonstrations continue to echo across Spain, the government is under increasing pressure to act decisively. For many Spaniards, these protests are not just about rising rents—they are a plea for dignity, stability, and the right to call a place home in the country they love.