Living

The European Commission officially launched an infringement procedure against Spain on Wednesday. The accusation: discrimination against foreigners legally residing in Spain concerning tax matters.

A recent study by Idealista shows that the number of listings for vacation accommodations is now more than double that for long-term leases.

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 has ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 illegal advertisements for tourist accommodations hosted on its platform.

Spain's unemployment benefit – the "pago único" – is a little-known gem for anyone who dreams of starting their own business.

According to a resolution of the BOE, this new price will be in effect for two months, until the third Tuesday of July 2025, after which it will be reviewed again in line with international market prices.

Spain is gearing up for a new era of short-term rentals: As of July 1, 2025, the European regulations governing tourist and seasonal rentals will come into force, fundamentally reshaping the market. The aim is to stabilize the housing market, curb fraud, and create greater transparency. This is a crucial measure to facilitate access to decent housing for all citizens.

According to a study published on Wednesday by the National Federation of Real Estate Associations (FAI) and the Spanish Society for Guaranteed Rentals (SEAG), the average age of tenants who signed a new rental contract in 2025 is over 35 years.

Rental prices in Spain have shown an alarming trend since 2021: they have increased almost four times faster than wages. While average salaries grew by 7.4% from 2021 to 2024, rental prices skyrocketed by a staggering 29.4% over the same period. This worrying discrepancy, highlighted in a recent study by the Fotocasa Real Estate Index and the InfoJobs platform, is increasingly burdening households in Spain.

Barcelona's population has increased for the third consecutive year, reaching 1,732,066 people, marking its highest level in four decades. This represents a 1.7% growth compared to the previous year, a development that, according to the Barcelona City Council's municipal data office, solidifies trends that have accelerated in recent years.

Real estate prices in Spain are rising relentlessly, while the incomes and savings of many households cannot keep pace. This means that the dream of owning a home is increasingly becoming an unattainable illusion for broad segments of the population, especially for young people, families, and even the middle class.