Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in 40 cities across Spain to protest against rising rents and the lack of affordable housing. The demonstrations, held on April 5, 2025, were fueled by a housing crisis exacerbated by a booming tourism industry.
In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, protesters rallied together, organized by housing activists and supported by Spain’s leading labor unions. In Madrid alone, over 150,000 individuals marched through the city center, according to local tenant groups. The atmosphere was charged as people shook keys and held signs demanding an end to short-term rentals, chanting slogans like "Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods."
The housing crisis has hit Spain hard. Average rents have doubled, and house prices have surged by more than 44% over the past decade, according to data from property website Idealista. The pandemic has also worsened the situation, with the availability of residential rentals halving while short-term rentals have rapidly increased in popular areas.
One resident from Madrid’s Lavapies neighborhood, Margarita Aizpuru, shared her frustration, stating that nearly 100 families in her building were told their rental contracts would not be renewed. "They’re kicking all of us out to make tourist flats," she lamented.
This crisis has left many young people feeling hopeless. They often find themselves living with parents or sharing apartments, struggling to save enough money to buy their own homes. Mari Sanchez, a 26-year-old lawyer, expressed her struggles, saying she spends a significant portion of her salary on rent, which leaves her little room for savings or other expenses.
The protests were not limited to Madrid. In Palma, Mallorca, demonstrators marched with placards that read "Mallorca is not for sale" and "no houses without people, nor people without houses." The message was clear: locals are fed up with the impact of tourism on their communities.
Spain welcomed a record 94 million tourists in 2024, making it the second most-visited country in the world. This influx has intensified the housing crisis, prompting some local governments to take action. For instance, Barcelona’s city government has pledged to phase out its 10,000 permits for short-term rentals by 2028.
As the protests unfolded, it became evident that the demand for affordable housing is becoming a pressing issue in Spain. The voices of the protesters reflect a growing frustration among residents who feel that their needs are being overlooked in favor of tourism and short-term rental profits.