Over 630,000 rental contracts set to expire in 2026
A total of 632,369 rental contracts are due to end in 2026, a situation that will affect more than 1.6 million people who could face an average annual increase of €1,735 upon renewal. In the Canary Islands, that figure is significantly higher at €2,267, according to Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda. If those whose contracts potentially end in 2027 are also included, the number of people affected approaches 2.7 million, based on data collected by the Ministry from the latest Survey of Living Conditions.
Minister calls for urgent action on expiring leases
For Spain as a whole, a household with a median income is estimated to face an annual rent hike of €1,735 when renewing a contract. This was highlighted on 4 December by the minister responsible, Pablo Bustinduy, who urged the PSOE to prioritise urgently extending the rental contracts due to expire throughout 2026.
Regional impact: Canaries among hardest hit
The impact of these renewals will be greatest in the Balearic Islands (€4,615), which tops the ranking, followed by the Valencian Community (€2,686); the Canary Islands (€2,267); and Madrid (€2,042). Other regions facing increases above €1,000 include Cantabria (€1,969); Andalusia (€1,952); La Rioja (€1,408); Castilla-La Mancha (€1,131); Asturias (€1,087); and Murcia (€1,013).
Catalonia is excluded from the calculations as it has designated high-pressure zones covering 80% of its population. The Basque Country and Navarre are also excluded because their situation is not covered in the Household Panel survey, as they are regions with their own fiscal regimes.
Where the most contracts are ending
By region, the highest number of contracts expiring, and therefore people affected, is in Madrid (145,881 contracts and 404,090 people); Catalonia (112,728 rentals and 300,984 affected); Andalusia (85,491 contracts and 213,728 people); and the Valencian Community (62,523 rentals and 155,057 affected). This data is extracted from the Household Panel prepared by the Tax Agency in collaboration with the National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Political push for automatic renewals linked to inflation
In this context, the Sumar political party is insisting on an automatic renewal of rental contracts ending in the coming months, with increases limited solely to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This measure aims to protect tenants from soaring rental prices while they await a response from their coalition partners in the PSOE.
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