Spain's cabinet approves housing decrees banning evictions until 2030

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

The fund Urbagestion raised 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal's rent from €500 to €2,650 a month, and her September 23 eviction in Madrid sparked nationwide protests. Abascal died in hospital on October 7; the Madrid Tenants' Union said the deal letting her return had come too late.

Both housing decrees were published in the BOE on October 7. The first, covering eviction protections to 2030, curbs on speculative purchases and a tourist-flat tax, took effect October 8. The second, on automatic lease renewal, takes effect November 15 only if the 69-member Permanent Deputation validates it.

Why it matters

Whether the re-approved decrees clear the Permanent Deputation decides if Spanish tenants get eviction protections to 2030 and funds lose housing purchases.

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Key Indicators

2030

Eviction moratorium runs to

The extended 'social shield' protects tenants from eviction until December 31, 2030, with stronger enforcement mechanisms.

€2,650

Rent demanded by Urbagestion, up from €500

Nearly double Maricarmen Abascal's monthly pension of €1,350. The eviction triggered nationwide protests; Abascal died in hospital October 7.

10%

Value-added tax on tourist flats

New rate applies to short-term tourist rentals; 4% rate set for public and protected housing.

Housing decrees published in the BOE October 7

Congress rejected both October 2; the cabinet re-approved them October 6. The first took effect October 8; the second takes effect November 15 only with Permanent Deputation validation.

€10B

First-home loan scheme

Financing package for first-time buyers includes interest-free loans of up to €50,000 toward a first home.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

Maricarmen Abascal

Retired pensioner and evicted tenant

Died in hospital October 7; the return agreement came too late

Monica Garcia

Spanish Health Minister (Sumar)

Announced coalition agreement on housing measures

Isabel Rodriguez

Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda

Presented both decrees; called housing access the nation's main problem

Pedro Sánchez

Prime Minister of Spain

Called snap election for November 29; the cabinet re-approved both decrees October 6

Beatriz Duro

Lawyer for Maricarmen Abascal

Negotiated preliminary return agreement with Urbagestion

Organizations Involved

Government of Spain

National government

Both decrees published in the BOE October 7; first in force October 8, second pending validation

Spain's minority coalition government, led by the Socialist Party with junior partner Sumar.

Urbagestion

Real estate investment fund

Had agreed to let Abascal return, but she died before it could happen

The fund that owns the Madrid apartment where Maricarmen Abascal lived for over 70 years.

Congress of Deputies

National legislature (lower house)

Dissolved for November 29 election; Permanent Deputation handles the decrees

Spain's lower house of parliament, dissolved after Sánchez called a snap election for November 29, 2026.

Permanent Deputation (Diputación Permanente)

Standing parliamentary body

Set to vote on the re-approved housing decrees

Standing body that conducts parliamentary business while Congress is dissolved.

Timeline

September 2026 October 2026

6 events Latest: 5 days ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Maricarmen Abascal dies in hospital
Latest Eviction

Hospitalized since September 23, Abascal died in hospital. The Madrid Tenants' Union said the agreement letting her return home 'came too late.'
5 days ago
Both housing decrees published in the BOE
Policy

The first decree, with eviction protections to 2030, curbs on speculative purchases and a tourist-flat tax, took effect October 8. The second, on automatic lease renewal, takes effect November 15 only if the Permanent Deputation validates it.
5 days ago
Cabinet re-approves both housing decrees after rejection
Policy

Four days after Congress rejected the decrees, the cabinet re-approved them with the brake on speculative purchases by funds and large holders extended to 2030. Both now go to the Permanent Deputation.
6 days ago
Sánchez calls snap general election for November 29
Political

Sánchez announced the election call on Monday; the dissolution was published in the BOE on October 6, moving pending legislation to the Permanent Deputation, the body that conducts congressional business during dissolution.
7 days ago
September 2026
Cabinet approves two housing decrees; Abascal offered return
Policy

Council of Ministers approves eviction ban to 2030, vulture fund restrictions, and lease extensions. Urbagestion offers Abascal return at €500 monthly rent.
September 29th, 2026
Maricarmen Abascal evicted from Madrid apartment
Eviction

Wheelchair-bound 87-year-old removed from home of more than seven decades after rent hike to €2,650 monthly; eviction sparks nationwide protests.
September 23rd, 2026

Scenarios

Congress approves both housing decrees

Possible Resolves by Oct 6, 2026

Discussed by: Government ministers Isabel Rodriguez and Monica Garcia; La Moncloa briefing

The Socialists and Sumar secure enough votes from smaller parties to pass both decrees on October 2. The eviction ban to 2030, vulture fund purchase restrictions, tax measures, and lease extensions take effect. Automatic contract renewal is also approved in the second decree. Rodriguez called on lawmakers for "vision and generosity" in the vote.

First decree passes, second fails

Likely Resolves by Oct 6, 2026

Discussed by: Social Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy; Spain in English analysis

The automatic contract renewal provision is the 'final sticking point' and sits alone in the second decree, allowing lawmakers to reject it without sinking the broader housing package. Congress approves the first decree covering eviction protections, vulture fund restrictions, and tourist flat taxes, but rejects or forces heavy amendment of the second. This outcome would preserve the core protections while dropping the most contentious tenant-rights measure.

Decrees fail or stall in a divided Congress

Possible Resolves by Oct 6, 2026

Discussed by: Junts per Catalunya and Podemos objections; University of Barcelona sociologist Marta Soler Gallart

If the minority coalition cannot secure the needed votes, the decrees fail or are sent back for renegotiation. Soler Gallart noted the measures do not address medium- and long-term supply problems and that extended tenancy agreements disadvantage small landlords. Political pressure over housing would likely continue regardless of the vote, keeping the issue alive into 2027.

First decree clears the Permanent Deputation

Likely Resolves by Nov 15, 2026

Discussed by: Vote math in El Constitucional; the PNV's announced support

With the PNV backing the first decree, PSOE, Sumar, ERC, EH Bildu and Podemos reach 35 votes against 34, enough to validate it. The decree covers eviction protections to 2030, the brake on speculative purchases by funds and large holders, and the tourist-flat tax.

Second decree dies in the Permanent Deputation

Likely Resolves by Nov 15, 2026

Discussed by: The PNV's rejection; El Constitucional vote count

The PNV voted against the second decree on automatic lease renewal, so the government lacks a majority to validate it. The government arranged for the decree to take effect only with validation, so a rejection means it fails.

Snap election reshapes Spain's housing agenda

Uncertain Resolves by Dec 20, 2026

Discussed by: Sánchez's November 29 election call; a fragmented parliament

The new parliament elected November 29 could rewrite housing policy. If the decrees fail or pass in a reduced form, the balance of parties after the vote decides which tenant protections survive.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March 2020 – present

Spain's COVID-19 eviction moratorium (2020)

Spain introduced a moratorium on evictions of vulnerable households in the early weeks of the pandemic. The government extended it repeatedly as rental costs continued to outpace incomes across major cities.

Then

Vulnerable tenants gained temporary protection from eviction, renewed through successive extensions.

Now

The 'social shield' became a recurring tool in Spanish housing policy, now extended to 2030 under the new decrees with stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Why this matters now

The new legislation extends the same shield with stronger legal backing, moving it from temporary crisis response toward standing policy.

2008–2013

Spain's housing bubble and bust (2008-2013)

Spain's construction-driven boom collapsed in 2008, leaving banks, builders, and mortgage holders in distress. Foreclosures and evictions rose sharply in the following years.

Then

Hundreds of thousands of families lost homes; anti-eviction movements like the Platform for Mortgage Victims (PAH) gained national prominence.

Now

Housing precarity became a permanent political fault line; the INE reports the national housing price index has more than doubled since 2014.

Why this matters now

Today's crisis is partly a continuation of the 2008 aftermath, and the new decrees represent the strongest state intervention since that period.

February 2020 – April 2021

Berlin's rent cap Mietendeckel (2020-2021)

Berlin froze rents for most apartments in the city for five years. Germany's Federal Constitutional Court struck the law down in April 2021, ruling the state lacked jurisdiction to set rent controls.

Then

Rent increases resumed; Berlin had to adjust or refund some payments.

Now

Set a legal boundary for subnational rent control in Germany; the political debate over housing costs continued.

Why this matters now

Shows how aggressive housing interventions can face legal or jurisdictional challenges, a risk Spain's decrees may confront as well.