On October 13, over 20,000 young people took to the streets of Madrid to protest soaring rent prices. This rally was organized by the Madrid Tenants’ Union in collaboration with nearly 40 other groups, all calling for action against the uncontrollable rise in rental costs. Protesters held up keys symbolizing their demand for affordable housing, urging landlords to lower rents, calling for the resignation of Spain’s Housing Minister, and asking the government to implement urgent measures to ensure housing justice.
The demonstration kicked off at noon from Atocha station, passing through Plaza de Cibeles, where the Madrid City Council is located, before moving onto Gran Vía. Authorities reported that around 22,000 people participated in the march, predominantly young individuals, including students in their 20s and young adults in their 30s and 40s, many of whom were accompanied by their parents. They chanted slogans, beat drums, and held up signs proclaiming, “Housing is a right, not a business.” The demonstrators criticized landlords, banks, and corporations for their exploitation and denounced the government’s inaction. At times, they raised their keys aloft, symbolizing their frustration and exhaustion over the housing crisis.
In recent years, rental prices in Madrid have skyrocketed. Data from the Spanish real estate website Idealista indicates that, in September, the average rent increased by 15.7% compared to last year, reaching a historic high of €20.4 per square meter (approximately $22.2). This means that renting a modest 50-square-meter apartment in Madrid can cost around €1,000 a month. Given that the average monthly salary in Spain is about €2,200, many people are forced to spend half their income on rent.
According to El País, the percentage of young people aged 18 to 34 living with their parents has risen dramatically, from 50% in 2010 to 66% this year, as more youths struggle to afford housing on their own.
Laura, a 36-year-old high school teacher with a stable job, shared her experience of still living with her parents because she cannot afford rent in Madrid. She emphasized that even rents in the outskirts are beyond her means, while finding accommodation in the city center seems impossible. She noted that the average rent in Madrid is about €1,000, and her mother added that even a studio apartment costs around €400.
Monica, 22, and Paloma, 21, both students sharing an apartment, expressed their frustration over expensive rentals. They argued that the government should not allow wealthy individuals to own 30 apartments in central Madrid while young people are forced to share homes with three to four roommates.
Valeria Racú, a spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants’ Union, demanded the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez and called on tenants to withhold rent payments to pressure politicians to take action. Recently, Rodríguez sparked controversy by urging landlords to lower rents through “unity,” which was criticized by the left-wing coalition Sumar for insulting the intelligence of the public, as it argued that rent reduction should be legally mandated.
