Workers and housing activists take to the streets of Madrid during Spain’s nationwide general strike on 11 November 2026
Millions of workers across Spain took part in a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, protesting rising housing costs, stagnant purchasing power and concerns over public services. The action, the country's first general strike in 14 years, placed the housing affordability crisis at the centre of a wider national protest.
/ You Might Also Like /
The 24-hour strike was supported by Spain’s two largest trade unions, the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), alongside tenants’ associations and housing campaigners. Organisers estimated that about four million workers participated, representing roughly one-fifth of the country's workforce.
Demonstrations took place in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities, while disruptions affected transport, schools, factories, shops and other services. Although most protests were peaceful, clashes between police and demonstrators occurred in parts of Madrid and Barcelona. Police reported at least 73 arrests nationwide.
The strike followed months of demonstrations over rising rents, evictions and the growing difficulty of securing affordable accommodation, particularly in major urban centres.
Housing Affordability at the Centre of the Protests
Spain's housing shortage has become a major source of public frustration. The Bank of Spain estimates that the country faces a deficit of approximately 750,000 homes, with the gap potentially exceeding one million by 2028 if supply does not keep pace with demand.
The shortage has increased competition for available properties and pushed up rental costs. Average monthly rent has reached approximately €1,176, equivalent to about 98.7% of the average monthly salary of a young person in Spain, according to figures cited by the country's Youth Council.
The pressure has made independent living increasingly difficult for younger residents, many of whom remain in shared accommodation or continue living with their parents because they cannot afford to rent independently.
Housing campaigners have called for stronger tenant protections, action against evictions and measures to address property speculation. They have also raised concerns about the growth of tourist accommodation and its impact on the supply of homes available to residents.
Rising Rents and Evictions Fuel Public Anger
The latest wave of protests gained momentum following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, from her Madrid home in September. She had reportedly lived in the property for more than seven decades before facing a substantial rent increase that she could not afford.
The incident attracted national attention and became a rallying point for housing activists, who argued that rising rents and weak protections were placing vulnerable tenants at risk.
The strike also reflected broader economic concerns, with workers demanding wages that can keep pace with housing and living costs. Its central message, built around wages, housing and prices, linked the affordability crisis to the wider pressure on household finances.
Disruption Across Transport, Industry and Public Services
The industrial action affected several sectors of the Spanish economy. Trade unions reported participation of up to 90% in parts of the automotive and port industries, with stoppages also affecting factories, schools and universities.
Public transport services in Madrid and Barcelona operated with restrictions, while businesses in commercial districts closed or reduced operations.
Police reported clashes with some protesters after demonstrations in Madrid and Barcelona, including the use of tear gas and other crowd-control measures. The incidents followed largely peaceful marches in the two cities.
The scale of participation varied across regions and industries. Business groups disputed the unions' assessment of the strike, arguing that overall participation was considerably lower than organisers claimed.
Housing Supply Shortage Raises Questions for Policymakers
The protests highlight the growing pressure on governments to address housing affordability through a combination of increased supply, tenant protections and reforms to the rental market.
Spain's housing deficit illustrates the consequences of a prolonged gap between the number of homes available and the needs of its population. While campaigners have called for stronger regulation of rents and evictions, business representatives have argued that increasing housing construction and reducing development-related costs are necessary to ease the shortage.
The competing positions reflect a wider policy challenge: expanding housing supply while ensuring that new and existing homes remain accessible to households facing rising costs.
For other countries confronting similar affordability pressures, including Nigeria, Spain's experience demonstrates how housing shortages can develop into broader economic and social concerns. When rents consume a large share of household income, the consequences extend beyond the property market to labour mobility, household welfare and access to essential services.
READ MORE
