Briefing
On 29 September 2026, the Spanish state published a Real Decreto-ley introducing measures to protect the social function of housing and expand the supply of affordable homes. The text is documented in the Boletín Oficial del Estado and includes both interventions in eviction proceedings and measures to promote social and price-regulated housing.
According to the government, the decree aims to respond in the short term to the acute housing shortage and curb speculation in the rental market. Real Decreto-ley 26/2026 provides, among other things, for proceedings against households in situations of vulnerability to be suspended and for the creation of instruments to promote new construction and public housing provision. The government notes that certain provisions until 31.
may apply from December 2030, and housing schemes in cooperation with the ICO are planned. Pedro Sánchez called on parliamentary representatives at presentations to show a “sense of state” and urged the parties to support the swift passage of the measures that the Palacio de la Moncloa has described as urgent. The ministry notes that the measures were introduced as a genuine emergency instrument and must now be submitted to Congress for convalidación.
According to EFE, the Council of Ministers has approved two decrees; one of them has been consolidated in the BOE. During debates, several parties announced their opposition or reservations. The Catalan party Junts is facing a difficult decision, according to media reports, between supporting market regulation and exercising political restraint towards the government.
Open questions concern specific deadlines for the convalidación en el Congreso as well as possible changes during the parliamentary process. Until the vote, key points — such as the specific arrangements for the prórroga automática de alquileres and compensation arrangements for non-renewal of rental contracts — remain subject to parliamentary negotiations. The information available is based on publication in the Boletín Oficial del Estado, press releases from the President’s Office and reports by established news agencies.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).