Ada Colau, ex-mayor of Barcelona, has left her longtime apartment after finding the rent impossible to cover alone. She now lives with a family member, highlighting the financial strain even public figures face in Spain’s housing market.
Fifteen years in the same Barcelona apartment. That ended for Ada Colau this autumn. She could not pay the rent on her own salary. After splitting from her partner four years ago, Colau tried to keep up the payments alone. It did not work. She spoke about it on La2’s Cafè d’Idees. On September 29, 2026, Colau confirmed to several Spanish media outlets that she had left her flat and moved in with a relative. The reason was simple. Her current income could not cover the rent.
“I had to leave and move in with a family member,” Colau said. She did not share more about her new living situation. Her words cut through the usual political talk. This was personal. Colau’s story matches what many single-income households face in Spain’s big cities. She explained she first moved into the apartment with her partner and two children. After the breakup, she was left to pay the rent alone. It became impossible.
Currently, Ada Colau is listed as president of the Sentit Comú foundation, linked to Comuns, indicating her income now comes from this role rather than her former mayoral salary.
Colau is not alone, but few public figures speak so openly. She pointed out that the rental market expects two earners per home. “The market always assumes two people with salaries will live in a home. The moment you separate, you can’t afford it,” she said. This hits women hardest. Colau tied her own struggle to the wider housing crisis in Barcelona. She said the system is built for couples, not singles. Several Spanish outlets reported her comments.
As mayor, Colau started with a salary of 2,200 euros per month. This matched Barcelona en Comú’s ethical code. Part of her pay went to party projects. Later, the party raised salaries for top officials. They said public office brought extra costs—childcare, household help, and more. Colau’s pay rose by 40%. Even then, after her separation, she could not afford to live alone. Recent reports confirm her current income comes from her role at the Sentit Comú foundation, not from city hall.
On Cara al Show, Colau said she had just moved. She estimated she had “gifted” 200,000 euros in rent to landlords over the years. She also gave up more than 400,000 euros in salary and allowances to her party. Colau reflected on her choices: “I think I have the talent to have become rich if that was my goal, but I chose to participate in collective projects.” Multiple independent summaries confirm the 200,000-euro rent figure.
Independent housing reviews show that even with a net income of 2,000 euros per month, it is difficult for a single person to rent an apartment in Barcelona, and listings below 700 euros are almost nonexistent.
Colau’s story is not rare. It shows how Spain’s city housing market squeezes even those with steady jobs and public profiles. Ordinary tenants face the same struggle. In earlier reported cases, some residents have faced eviction or had to fight to keep their homes. According to a review based on the city’s Pla Viure plan, 43.6% of Barcelona households rent. That is nearly half the city.
Colau has not said much about her political future. She has hinted at a possible run in national elections. For now, her focus is on housing and social policy. “Right now, I am not a candidate for anything,” she said. But she made it clear she wants to stop what she called “fascism” from taking power in Spain. On RTVE, Colau called the eviction of Maricarmen a “collective failure.” She urged stronger protections for renters and longer rental contracts.
This move is more than a personal change. It is a public warning. The housing crisis in Spain is not just about the poor. When a former mayor cannot afford to live alone in Barcelona, something is broken. The message is clear. The system is failing even those at the top. According to Euronews, citing Idealista, the average asking rent in Spain hit 15.1 euros per square meter in August 2026. That is up 5.8% from the year before. The crisis is not slowing down.
