Spain Housing Strike: Disruption and Rent Rules Ahead of Election

Key takeaways

• The 24-hour nationwide general strike is set for 11 November 2026.
• Madrid’s average October rent for a 50-square-metre apartment was €1,170, against a gross monthly salary of about €2,460.
• Proposed measures include an eviction moratorium until 2030 and rental extensions until 31 December 2028.

Foreign buyers, renters and visitors in Spain on 11 November face possible flight cancellations, reduced train services and last-minute disruption to local transport, shops, museums, restaurants and pharmacies. The 24-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday 11 November was called by the UGT and CCOO, with housing, wages and working conditions among the issues on the agenda.

Strike and election

According to The Local, it is the first general strike jointly backed by Spain’s two largest unions since 2012. It comes less than three weeks before the snap general election scheduled for 29 November. CCOO says more than 4,500 union branches and works councils have endorsed the walkout.

The unions are also demanding greater purchasing power. The strike follows a series of housing protests, including a five-week occupation of Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol square where hundreds of tents were pitched.

Housing pressure

The demonstrations were sparked by the forced eviction in September of 87-year-old Madrid pensioner Maricarmen Abascal, who died days later. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the election after his minority government failed to secure parliamentary approval for a package of housing measures responding to the protests.

"This is not a strike against anyone, but rather one in favour of a common response from all levels of government to a real problem, which is access to housing," — Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain

Travel Trade Journal reports that the action will affect aviation, rail transport, public services and hospitality. AOL reported UGT’s statement that the working class can no longer afford housing, while CCOO placed housing at the centre of the demonstration (AOL.com).

The salary and rent figures come from Idealista data cited by The Local. The nearly-half ratio is well above the 30 percent share commonly recommended by housing experts and public institutions.

Buyers comparing this rent pressure with other housing-finance questions can use our report on extending affordable-housing mortgage terms, while people with property in southern Spain can consult our guide to heavy rain and foreign property buyers.

Rules in parliament

Ernest Urtasun, Spain’s culture minister and the head of Frente Amplio’s list for Barcelona, said the Permanent Delegation of Congress would vote on validating housing decrees on Thursday, according to Democrata.

He said the proposed measures include a moratorium on evictions until 2030, mandatory extension of rental contracts until 31 December 2028, and a prohibition on vulture funds buying entire apartment blocks. Urtasun also said the package would prevent rents rising by €300 or €400 when contracts are renewed.

For foreign buyers, the reported legislative changes concern the rental and eviction side of housing. The sources do not announce changes to purchase taxes, visa rules or mortgage financing.

Travel and services

Minimum services have been set for aviation. At Madrid’s Barajas Airport, 57 percent of international flights, 32 percent of domestic services and 78 percent of island connections are guaranteed to operate. At Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, the respective guarantees are 56 percent, 34 percent and 79 percent.

Renfe is required to maintain at least 73 percent of AVE and long-distance services on 11 November, while Ouigo plans to run 18 of its 26 scheduled services. Separate driver-union action is expected to affect rail services on 10 and 12 November.

The Olive Press reports that Renfe commuter trains will run at 75 percent of their usual frequency during peak hours and 50 percent at other times. Madrid’s Metro will operate at 80 percent during peak hours and 50 percent for the rest of the day. Catalonia guarantees 25 percent of usual public transport services during morning and afternoon rush hours, with no services guaranteed outside those periods.

Hospitals, schools, emergency services and other essential services will remain open, although some routine appointments, tests and non-urgent operations may be cancelled or postponed. Private security staff at airports, ports and railway stations will be required to work, with 90 percent of the usual workforce staying on duty.

Sources

• Spain faces general strike over housing ahead of election — thelocal.es, 2026-11-10
• Spain faces nationwide general strike on November 11 — traveltradejournal.com, 2026-11-10
• Spain goes on general strike this week, here's what it ... — aol.co.uk, 2026-11-10
• Spain general strike: Everything you need to know — theolivepress.es, 2026-11-10
• Urtasun appeals to the housing strike and to the ballot boxes — democrata.es, 2026-11-10