In recent years, Spain has seen a notable increase in cases of discrimination against migrants when trying to rent housing. This trend is already impacting the rental market and fueling social tension, as many foreigners—despite having stable incomes and proper documentation—are refused accommodations without explanation. The problem is becoming more acute, since access to housing is directly linked to prospects for integration and independent living.
According to Accem, 358 incidents were reported in 2025 alone, related to rental refusals as well as restricted access to medical care and employment. The organization notes that property owners and agencies often cite formal pretexts for not renting to migrants, referring to supposed failure to meet requirements or sudden unavailability of a property. Such actions are rarely openly stated, making discrimination difficult to prove and support harder to obtain.
Rental market under pressure
The situation is worsening as requirements for tenants become more stringent. Migrants and refugees face extra screenings, the need to provide additional documents and guarantees, which limits their chances for independent living. According to RUSSPAIN.COM, these barriers not only make finding housing more difficult, but also contribute to growing social isolation among vulnerable groups.
In 2024, the Council for the Elimination of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination (CEDRE) recorded 2,913 requests for assistance, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Housing ranked fourth among areas with the most frequent incidents, behind only denial of access to goods and services, the private employment sector, and healthcare. This confirms that the problem is systemic and requires a comprehensive approach.
Stories and consequences
Real stories, such as that of Redouane, an engineer from Morocco, show that even with stable employment and income, nationality remains a decisive factor for rejection. Potential landlords are interested in the country of origin, disregarding professional qualifications and financial solvency. As a result, many migrants are forced to look for housing on a less transparent market or accept worse conditions.
In 2025, Accem implemented a number of support programs for victims of discrimination, including legal advice, mediation, and rental training. Over the year, the organization assisted 172 families and held 118 events for prevention and awareness. Special attention is given to working with real estate agencies and property owners to reduce bias and increase awareness of tenant rights.
The need for change
Experts emphasize that ensuring equal access to housing is not only a matter of social justice, but also an important factor in maintaining societal stability. Without effective measures to combat discrimination and the introduction of new standards in the rental market, the situation could lead to increased tensions and worsening living conditions for thousands of people.
In recent years, Spain has already faced waves of complaints about discrimination in the rental sector, especially in major cities and tourist regions. In 2023, similar issues arose in Barcelona and Madrid, where local authorities launched information campaigns and provided support for affected individuals. Despite some successes, the problem remains unresolved, and the number of complaints continues to rise. Other EU countries are also seeing an increase in such incidents, highlighting the need for Europe-wide solutions and the sharing of best practices among member states.
