5 Years After the Pandemic: The Rental Market’s Wild Ride 🎢
It’s been 5 years since COVID-19 changed everything—including the Spanish rental market. At first, lockdowns and travel bans led to a flood of available rentals and a temporary drop in prices. But fast forward to today, and it’s a whole different story—rental supply has collapsed by 56%, and prices are skyrocketing.
🏠 What caused the rental crisis?
🏛 Strict regulations – Rent caps, eviction bans & fines made renting less appealing for landlords, pushing many to exit the market.
🏡 Owners changed strategies – Due to market uncertainty, many switched to tourist rentals or simply sold their properties instead.
💸 Rising costs – Taxes, utilities & maintenance got more expensive, making long-term rentals a losing game for property owners.
📉 Biggest rental supply drops since 2020:
🚨 Barcelona -84% | Seville -73% | Palma -73% | Madrid -71%
🎯 At the same time, rental prices are soaring:
🔥 Valencia +74% | Barcelona +62% | Alicante +60% | Madrid +44%
💡 Why are rents rising so fast?
✔ Severe housing shortage – Fewer rental properties = more competition.
✔ High demand in major cities – Expats, students & investors pushing prices even higher.
❓ What’s next for renters?
With demand outpacing supply, finding a decent rental is starting to feel like winning the lottery—but way more expensive. If new incentives & more affordable housing don’t appear soon, long-term renting will become a luxury few can afford.
Would you rent, buy, or just escape to Cuenca (+149% more rentals available 😆)? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️
