{"id":12426,"date":"2026-05-22T12:04:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T10:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maluquerabogados.com\/publicaciones\/compra-especulativa-de-vivienda-en-cataluna\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T12:36:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T10:36:40","slug":"speculative-housing-purchase-in-catalonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maluquerabogados.com\/en\/publicaciones\/speculative-housing-purchase-in-catalonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Catalonia sets limits on speculative housing purchases: everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Government of the Generalitat, led by Salvador Illa, and the parliamentary group of the Comuns signed an agreement on 19 February 2026 to amend the Urban Planning Law of Catalonia. The objective: to give municipalities the tools to limit the purchase of housing for purely speculative purposes. We explain, step by step and in clear terms, what the measure consists of, who it affects and when it will come into force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important note: at the time of publication of this article, the bill still has to be approved by the Parliament of Catalonia. The text describes the agreement signed and the proposal submitted, not a law already in force.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speculative purchase: what exactly are we talking about?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When we talk about the speculative purchase of housing, we refer to the acquisition of properties not to live in them, but to obtain the maximum possible economic return: reselling them at higher prices, renting them at free-market prices without limits, or allocating them to tourist or seasonal rentals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This dynamic reduces the supply of housing available for people who need it to live, and puts upward pressure on both purchase and rental prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reform does not prohibit the purchase of flats. What it does is condition the purchase on the use that must be given to it, especially in areas where market pressure is more intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which municipalities are affected?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The measure will apply to the 271 Catalan municipalities declared as stressed residential market areas<\/a>, where 90% of the population of Catalonia lives. This declaration, which is valid for three years and renewable annually, identifies the places where prices have risen disproportionately in relation to the population\u2019s income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is a crucial nuance: its application will not be automatic. Each municipality will have to decide whether to draw up and approve a special urban planning plan to activate the restrictions. This initiative may come from the municipal government itself or from the opposition, subject to prior approval by the municipal plenary session. In addition, representative entities of the right to housing \u2014cooperatives, tenants\u2019 associations, residents\u2019 associations\u2014 may urge the administration to begin its processing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"speculative<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Who can buy and for what purpose? The new rules<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the municipalities that activate the special plans, homes may only be acquired for two purposes: habitual residence or rental at index price \u2014 regulated price. Free-market rental, seasonal rental and tourist rental are prohibited in new acquisitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large-scale property owners <\/a>(5 or more properties owned in Catalonia)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n