Combating the Rental Housing Shortage
As of January 1, 2026, a new nationwide law introducing a vacant property tax has come into effect in Spain. This measure is aimed at large property holders and investment funds that keep residential properties empty for speculative purposes or to artificially drive up prices. The government hopes this will force owners to release thousands of unused apartments onto the rental market.
The tax applies to residential properties that remain unoccupied for more than 18 consecutive months without a valid justification. The surcharge can reach up to 150% of the municipal real estate tax (IBI), depending on the duration of the vacancy and the total number of properties owned by the landlord. The law includes exemptions for properties undergoing renovation or owned by citizens temporarily working abroad.
Representatives of the real estate sector have expressed concerns, pointing out that this could deter institutional investors. Nevertheless, municipalities are actively compiling special registries of empty homes and plan to use the collected funds to finance the construction of social and affordable housing projects.
- Surcharges up to 150% of the IBI tax
- Applies to homes empty for over 18 months
- Exemptions for renovations and temporary relocation