Key facts
- Housing prices in the EU rose 53% between 2010 and 2024, with rents increasing 25%.
- Estonia saw rents surge 208% in the same period, while Ireland and Hungary saw increases over 100%.
- A quarter of voters in Berlin backed the leftwing party Die Linke in recent state elections, making it the city's strongest party.
- Campaigners launched a pan-European alliance for indefinite rental contracts and rent control.
- The Spanish government approved housing decrees including an eviction ban until 2030.
- An 87-year-old tenant, Maricarmen Abascal, will return to her Madrid apartment at her original rent of €500 per month.
Housing campaigners from across Europe converged in Madrid last week for a counter-summit, aiming to challenge the perception of housing as a purely financial asset amidst a deepening European housing crisis. The event coincided with the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old wheelchair user who had lived in her Madrid apartment for 70 years.
According to Eurostat, housing prices across the EU have surged by 53% between 2010 and 2024, with rents increasing by 25% during the same period. While some cities like Vienna have managed to temper costs through public housing, Estonia has seen rents rise by 208%, and Ireland and Hungary by over 100%.
Campaigners argue that this trend disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and minorities, potentially driving voters towards far-right parties. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni noted that worsening living standards undermine democratic values. In Berlin, the leftwing party Die Linke gained significant traction by focusing on housing affordability.
At the Madrid counter-summit, a pan-European alliance was launched to advocate for indefinite rental contracts and rent control. A European Citizens’ Initiative has also been established, urging EU-level measures to protect tenants, curb speculation, and convert vacant buildings into homes. The initiative highlights that housing is the primary concern for citizens across Europe.
In Spain, protests have already yielded results. Maricarmen Abascal has been permitted to return to her apartment at her original rent of €500 per month, a stark contrast to the €2,650 demanded by the investment firm that owns the property. The Spanish government has also approved housing decrees that include a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulations for temporary and per-room lettings, though these measures await parliamentary approval.