Thousands protested in Barcelona, demanding affordable housing and better living conditions, highlighting Spain’s struggle with rising rents and tourism-driven gentrification.
Around 22,000 individuals gathered in Barcelona on Saturday, staging a large-scale protest to call for more affordable housing rental prices and improved living conditions.
Housing affordability has emerged as a critical concern in Spain, where the government faces the challenge of balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the rising rents driven by gentrification and the preference of landlords for lucrative short-term vacation rentals.
According to data from the Catalan Housing Agency, rental prices in Barcelona during the second quarter of 2024 were nearly 70% higher than in the same period a decade ago, in 2014.
Similar demonstrations took place across Catalonia and other regions, including Burgos and Asturias in northern Spain, as well as Jerez de la Frontera in the south.
In response, the government introduced measures in July to regulate short-term and seasonal holiday rentals. Authorities are set to scrutinize listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
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