Budget negotiations in Catalonia have concluded, directly impacting thousands of families and tenants. Regional authorities have agreed on new support measures that could reshape the housing market and broaden access to social benefits. The decisions made after two weeks of discussions have already sparked wide public and expert reaction.
The agreement between the Catalan government (El Govern) and the Comuns party marked a pivotal step toward approving the 2026 budget. According to El Pais, the document will be signed in the coming days at the government building. For President Salvador Illa, this is the first budget of his new term, and its approval was made possible only with the backing of two allies—Comuns and ERC. The authorities expect that the new financial rules will take effect as early as the first quarter of the year.
Changes for tenants
One of the most debated issues was tightening controls over the rental market. Comuns pushed for a law to curb speculative apartment sales and help address housing affordability. The authorities abandoned tax measures and accepted the Comuns’ proposal to tackle the issue through amendments to urban planning legislation. However, unlike the Amsterdam model, the new rules will only apply to large property owners and not all landlords.
The agreement includes additional support measures for tenants. The budget allocates 100 million euros in subsidies for families with an income of up to 36,200 euros per year. This will cover roughly a quarter of all households in the region. In addition, special payments are designated to cover part of the rent, which is especially relevant amid rising housing prices.
Social initiatives
The new budget places particular emphasis on social support. The authorities have earmarked another 100 million euros for free school lunches and additional payments for low-income families. There are also plans to launch a voucher program for the purchase of hygiene products and condoms. These measures are aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and improving access to basic goods.
Meanwhile, negotiations continue with the ERC party, which has agreed to temporarily postpone the issue of tax redistribution in favor of creating an investment consortium. This body was promised a year ago but has yet to begin work. Authorities hope the compromise will help speed up the launch of new projects and attract additional investment to the region’s economy.
Context and implications
The budget negotiations are taking place amid growing pressure from public organizations and tenants, who are demanding more decisive action to tackle rising housing costs. Last year, similar initiatives were discussed in other regions of Spain, where authorities were forced to review their approaches to social policy. For example, in Andalusia, after a devastating storm, the authorities urgently mobilized resources to support those affected, as detailed in the article on the mobilization of aid after the natural disaster.
Experts note that the new measures in Catalonia could serve as an example for other autonomous communities facing acute housing affordability issues. Introducing restrictions for large property owners and expanding the system of subsidies may shift the balance in the rental market and ease social tensions. At the same time, some specialists warn that restrictive measures could reduce supply and fuel the shadow market.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly implemented emergency measures to support the population during times of crisis. Following the pandemic, the authorities reinforced aid programs for tenants and low-income families, and expanded access to free school lunches. In 2024, new restrictions for large landlords were introduced in Madrid and Barcelona, sparking lively debates among experts. Similar initiatives remain under discussion in other regions of the country, where social support is becoming a top priority.
