Spain Bans Evictions Amid Housing Crisis After 87‑Year‑Old Woman’s Protest

LONDON — The Spanish government announced on Tuesday a temporary ban on evictions and a package of housing measures to address a deepening crisis, following protests over the planned removal of an 87‑year‑old woman from her home in Madrid. The decree, signed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will suspend eviction proceedings for 12 months and extend the existing moratorium on rent arrears until 2027.

Background of the Crisis

Spain has faced a mounting housing shortage for more than a decade, with rent prices rising faster than wages in major cities. In 2025, the government introduced a rent‑control framework that limited annual increases to 3.5 percent, but the policy was criticised for stifling investment and creating a backlog of unregistered rentals. The most recent protests erupted when a local housing association announced it would evict an 87‑year‑old woman, María López, from a rented flat in the city of Zaragoza. The case drew national attention and sparked a wave of demonstrations across the country.

Details of the New Measures

The decree, published in the official bulletin on 29 September, includes the following key provisions:

• All pending eviction proceedings will be halted for a period of 12 months, with a review scheduled for 29 September 2027.
• Rent arrears will be frozen for tenants who have not paid for more than six months, and landlords will be required to provide a written explanation for any eviction request.
• A new fund of €1.5 billion will be allocated to support low‑income households, with a focus on subsidised housing projects in high‑density urban areas.
• Local authorities will be empowered to negotiate settlement agreements between landlords and tenants, with a mandatory mediation step before any court action.

Prime Minister Sánchez said the measures were a “necessary step to protect vulnerable residents” and that the government would work with regional governments to ensure consistent implementation across Spain’s 17 autonomous communities.

Reactions from Stakeholders

Housing rights groups welcomed the decree, noting that it would provide immediate relief to thousands of tenants facing eviction. The Spanish Federation of Housing Associations (FENASA) stated that the ban would “give families time to seek alternative accommodation and prevent a surge in homelessness.”

Landlords’ associations, however, expressed concern that the temporary ban could lead to a backlog of unpaid rents. The National Association of Landlords (ANP) warned that “without clear enforcement mechanisms, the policy could undermine the stability of the rental market.”

In the case of María López, the local council confirmed that the eviction order was withdrawn and that the woman would remain in her home until a permanent solution could be found. The council’s spokesperson said the decision was “in line with the new national policy.”

Legal and Fiscal Implications

The decree invokes Article 10 of the Spanish Housing Act, which allows the government to intervene in cases of social crisis. The €1.5 billion fund will be sourced from a reallocation of the national budget, with a projected cost of 0.8 percent of GDP for the 2026‑27 fiscal year.

Experts say the measures could set a precedent for other European countries grappling with similar housing challenges. A study by the European Housing Observatory estimates that a temporary eviction ban could reduce the number of pending eviction cases by up to 25 percent in the first year.

Future Outlook

The Spanish government has scheduled a review of the eviction ban on 29 September 2027, at which point it will assess the impact on the housing market and decide whether to extend or modify the policy. Meanwhile, regional governments are expected to tailor the national framework to local conditions, with some already announcing additional subsidies for low‑income renters.