Lorraine Williamson
In Spain, more than 20,000 squatted homes are currently listed for sale. That’s around 2.6% of the total housing stock on the market, according to real estate platform Idealista. With evictions often taking anywhere from eight months to over a year, some property owners are opting to sell rather than pursue lengthy legal action.
The sale of these properties—despite their irregular status—is on the rise. Squatting, or okupación, has become a contentious issue in Spain, particularly in larger cities and certain provinces.
Impact on prices and buyer confidence
The existence of squatted homes for sale is influencing market dynamics. Prices are falling, and buyer confidence is taking a hit. While some see investment potential, others are put off by the legal and ethical complexities.
Typically, squatted properties are listed at 40% to 60% below standard market value. These significant discounts are drawing in speculative buyers and investors. However, selling remains complicated. Many potential buyers are wary of legal entanglements or the prospect of having to negotiate directly with occupants.
In some cases, owners offer informal agreements to squatters—financial incentives in exchange for leaving the premises peacefully. While not legally binding, this route is often quicker than a court-ordered eviction.
Where are the most squatted properties for sale in Spain?
Barcelona leads with 723 squatted homes for sale, followed closely by Madrid with 644. These two cities also face the largest housing pressures in the country. However, Girona records the highest proportion, with 8.8% of all homes for sale currently squatted.
Murcia (5.5%), Seville (4.7%) and Málaga (3.8%) also report above-average rates. Even in Madrid, where demand remains high, 2.3% of listings are squatted homes.
Alicante shows a slightly lower percentage at 2.1%, and Bilbao’s rate is just 1%. At the other end of the scale, cities like Logroño (0.2%), Salamanca, Ourense, Guadalajara, Cáceres, Palencia and Ciudad Real (all 0.4%) report the fewest squatted homes on the market.
Provincial breakdown shows Barcelona at the top
At the provincial level, Barcelona again ranks highest. Squatted homes account for 7.6% of total listings. Toledo follows at 4.1%, then Murcia (4%), Girona (3.8%) and Seville (3.7%).
These figures point to a regional imbalance in how squatting affects housing availability. In some areas, it has become a defining feature of the real estate landscape.
Calls for reform
The growing visibility of squatted properties for sale is prompting debate around Spain’s legal framework. Critics say the current eviction process is too slow and cumbersome. Some argue for quicker procedures or reforms that better protect both property rights and vulnerable individuals.
Until changes are made, squatting will continue to affect the Spanish housing market—both in perception and in practice.