Madrid and Barcelona adopt contrasting approaches to Spain's housing crisis

The two cities have implemented opposing policies as rent and sale prices have risen sharply over the past decade.

• The Spanish government passed a housing law in 2023 giving local authorities power to cap rents and tax vacant homes.
• Madrid's regional government has sold public housing, opposed rent controls, and promoted mass construction.
• Catalan authorities capped rents; average rents for new contracts in Barcelona fell 6.4 percent.
• Catalonia banned tourist rentals in 140 municipalities and designated a share of new developments as permanently affordable.