Housing crisis sparks fury as 75% of Spaniards blame tourist apartments for soaring rents

A recent survey commissioned by the European Parliament’s Left group and promoted by Sumar has found that more than three quarters of Spaniards believe tourist apartments and temporary rental contracts are reducing the supply of long-term housing and contributing to rising rents across the country. The study, carried out by research group Ateneo del Dato and based on responses from 2,200 people across Spain, found that 79.2% of respondents believe tourist flats are worsening the housing shortage.

Another 76.2% said temporary and room-by-room rentals were also responsible for reducing the availability of ordinary long-term housing. The findings come as Spain continues to face mounting pressure over housing affordability in cities and tourist destinations including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and the Balearic Islands, where rising rents and limited housing stock have become major political and social concerns.

Public backs stronger restrictions

According to the survey, support for tighter regulation is widespread. Around 75.8% of respondents said they supported limits on temporary rentals in areas facing high housing demand, while 78.1% backed restrictions on agency commissions, deposits and additional charges imposed on tenants.

The report also highlighted public criticism of the property sector itself. Around three quarters of those surveyed said estate agencies were contributing to rising housing costs, reflecting broader frustration among renters struggling to secure affordable accommodation.

In response to growing public concern, national and regional authorities across Spain have introduced tougher measures aimed at controlling the spread of tourist apartments. A national rental registry and stricter compliance checks for holiday lets have already led to thousands of listings being removed for failing to meet legal requirements.

Over-tourism increasingly linked to housing crisis

Housing affordability has become closely tied to the debate over over-tourism, particularly in destinations that receive large numbers of visitors throughout the year. Demonstrations have taken place in several Spanish cities since 2025, with protesters arguing that local residents are being pushed out of neighbourhoods by the growth of short-term accommodation.

Research by tourism industry group Exceltur found that the supply of tourist rentals in Spain increased by around 25% over a two-year period, adding to concerns about the impact on the residential housing market. Despite this, housing analysts remain divided over how much responsibility tourist apartments carry for rising rents. Some experts argue that Spain’s wider shortage of new housing construction, combined with increasing demand in urban areas, also plays a major role in driving prices higher.

Temporary rentals under growing scrutiny

The survey found that temporary and room-by-room contracts are becoming increasingly common among tenants unable to secure standard long-term rentals. Around 12% of respondents said they currently lived in this type of accommodation, which often falls outside some protections included in Spain’s housing legislation.

Nearly one third of those tenants said they had accepted temporary arrangements because they could not find a conventional long-term rental property within their budget or preferred location. Several local governments are now considering further restrictions on tourist accommodation. Barcelona has already announced plans to phase out dedicated tourist apartments entirely by 2028, while other cities are examining similar measures in areas facing severe housing pressure.

Tourists divided over proposed measures

Tourists visiting Spain have expressed mixed views on the growing backlash against holiday apartments. Some visitors said they understood residents’ concerns, particularly in city centres and coastal areas where large numbers of homes have been converted into short-term accommodation. Others argued that tourism remains essential to the Spanish economy and warned that excessive restrictions could reduce accommodation options and increase prices for travellers.

Some tourists also said they preferred regulated holiday apartments over hotels because they offered greater flexibility for families and longer stays. The survey findings are expected to increase political pressure for further housing reforms in the coming months. While support for tighter regulation on tourist rentals continues to grow, economists and housing experts argue that increasing housing construction and expanding social housing will also be necessary if Spain is to ease pressure on the rental market over the long term.