Spain’s Eviction Ban Explained: Protests, Measures and Why India Is Searching

What triggered the protests in Spain?

In late September 2026, the eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment sparked nationwide demonstrations. Her case became a symbol of Spain’s deepening housing crisis after an investment fund bought her building and raised the rent by more than 200 %. Al Jazeera reports that Madrid’s tenants’ union organised protests and encampments in Puerta del Sol, drawing tens of thousands before the movement spread to Barcelona, Seville, Malaga and Cadiz.

What measures did Spain’s cabinet approve?

On 29 September 2026, Spain’s coalition cabinet announced two decrees that include a temporary ban on evictions until 2030, the rolling over of rental contracts until 2028, stricter regulation of short‑term and room rentals, and a prohibition on investment firms purchasing residential property. BBC quotes Health Minister Mónica García saying the package would bring relief to more than five million people, while opposition politician Míriam Nogueras warned it left "small landlords out in the cold". The measures also aim to intervene in the speculative housing market and strike a balance between ordinary citizens and vulture funds, as García stated.

Legislative path and political challenges

The decrees took effect immediately but must be ratified by Congress within 30 days. The government hopes to hold a vote as early as the following Friday, though Pedro Sánchez’s left‑leaning coalition lacks a parliamentary majority and faces resistance from the centre‑right Junts party and other conservative groups. BBC notes that a similar decree to roll over contracts was blocked by right‑leaning parties in April, illustrating the hurdles ahead. According to the Bank of Spain, the country is short of about 700,000 homes, and house prices have risen by 12.2 % in the past year, with rents increasing 8.5 % in 2025.

Why Indian users searched for ‘spain’

Google Trends data for India recorded approximately 2,000 searches for the term "spain" on 29 September 2026, with a 1,000 % growth spike in the past 24 hours. Google Trends confirms this surge reflects heightened domestic interest linked to the overseas developments.