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What Spain's snap election means for your rent and your lease
Tenants across Spain can now seek two-year extensions while rent rises face a 2% cap
Spain's snap election has put plenty of housing plans on hold, but tenants and landlords don't have to wait for a new government to see changes, as two new royal decree-laws on rentals have already been published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and have started to take effect.
The government approved the texts through the Standing Committee after Congress rejected the earlier versions, with President Pedro Sánchez pointing out that they keep the "essence" of the originals. The measures come into force in two stages, on October 8 and November 15, but the committee still has to ratify them within 30 days, so their future isn't guaranteed.
For tenants, the biggest change is an extraordinary extension of up to two years, on top of the usual five, for standard leases that expire before December 31, 2028. To qualify, tenants must be up to date with their rent and have paid it monthly for the previous eight months. In areas with a tight rental market, they can ask for up to three extra years once the mandatory or tacit extension ends.
Rent rises are also limited until December 31, 2027. If the rent is already above the maximum set by the reference price index, it can't go up at all, while in other cases any increase that can't be agreed between both sides can't exceed 2%. Tenants with taxable income below €33,007.20 can also claim a 10% income tax deduction on their rent.
Landlords who want their property back before a renewal must give six months' notice and will usually have to pay compensation of at least 12 months' rent. There are exceptions, including when the owner needs the home for themselves or a family member. Temporary contracts must now be justified and can't exceed 12 months in total unless the reason continues, while small landlords renting at affordable prices will see income tax reductions on their rental income reinstated.
Existing rental aid isn't affected by the election. The State Housing Plan 2026-2030, approved in April, includes direct help for renters, such as a programme for young people lasting up to four years, and the timeline for each scheme depends on the region. New calls for aid and bigger budgets are a different matter, as they'll have to wait until a new government is formed and approves the necessary spending.
Anyone buying or selling can carry on as normal. Tenants will have a right of first refusal if their rented home is sold, although the sale itself isn't banned.
Image: Magnific
