This broad price trend also affects households at home. The latest Fotocasa report shows that in April, Catalonia saw rents rise by 5.7% year over year. This uptick is mirrored on sale prices, with asking prices climbing as well. Monthly rents increased by 1.9% in April to 14.60 euro per square meter per month. In Barcelona, Girona, and Lleida, the gains exceed 10%. Every Barcelona district reports higher rents versus the previous year, with the city center flirting with 20 euros per square meter per month. Rents are near the all‑time high reached in April 2020 (€15.16/m² per month). Fotocasa research director Maria Matos describes the Barcelona situation as already worrisome, highlighting the city’s status as having the highest rents in Spain and more than 20% growth in Gràcia, Eixample, and Ciutat Vella. In the San Martí district, increases are close to 30% from a year earlier.
discount prices
Idealista notes that housing affordability in Barcelona has become a challenge, with the cost of buying a home absorbing about 38.1% of family income. Industry experts point to price tension caused by a fragile legal framework for landlords and a tight rental supply brought on by high inflation.
Across Spain, the average home price continues to rise, with quarterly and annual gains visible. Prices across the country increased 3.1% in the first quarter, reaching €1,911/m², according to the College of Registrars. The newest properties often require sales contracts secured two years in advance, which can distort the current market picture and price levels.
Rent
In Girona, annual rent growth exceeded two digits at 13.9%. Other cities followed with notable increases: Barcelona at 6.9%, Tarragona at 4.9%, and Lleida at 0.7%. The most expensive province remains Barcelona, at €15.56/m² per month, followed by Girona at €10.79/m², Tarragona at €8.43/m², and Lleida at €7.24/m².
Fotocasa reports that rental prices rose across the ten cities studied. Barcelona led the year with an 18% increase in April, continuing a multi‑year rise with double-digit gains in February (11.7%) and March (15.1%). Girona and Lleida followed, at 14.2% and 10.3% respectively, each surpassing a 10% yearly increase. In April, seven municipalities posted rents above €10/m² per month: Barcelona city at €18.00, Sant Cugat del Vallès at €15.25, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat at €13.64, Badalona at €13.36, Girona at €11.09, Sabadell at €10.68, and Terrassa at €10.63.
autonomous communities
Across the four autonomous communities, double‑digit rent growth has continued, with the Valencian Community showing the strongest annual gain around 15%. The regional rankings by annual increase place Valenciana at 15.6%, Region of Murcia at 12.3%, Cantabria at 11.4%, Extremadura at 10.3%, Castilla‑La Mancha at 9.9%, La Rioja at 8.5%, the Balearic Islands at 8.1%, Galicia at 7.0%, the Canary Islands at 6.9%, Catalonia at 5.7%, Madrid at 5.4%, Aragon at 5.4%, Castilla y León at 5.2%, Asturias at 4.9%, Andalusia at 4.0%, and the Basque Country at 3.3%.
Back in April 2022, seven communities posted the highest rents on record, led by the Basque Country at €13.53/m² per month and the Canary Islands at €10.02/m² per month. Others in the top tier included the Valencian Community at €9.46/m², the Region of Murcia at €7.95/m², Galicia at €7.76/m², La Rioja at €7.75/m², and Castilla y León at €7.74/m².
Catalonia and Madrid carry the highest average rents in Spain, at €14.60/m² per month and €14.55/m² per month, respectively. They are followed by the Basque Country (€13.53/m²), the Balearic Islands (€12.25/m²), the Canary Islands (€10.02/m²), Cantabria (€9.89/m²), Navarra (€9.88/m²), and the Valencian Community (€9.46/m²). Other regions show values ranging from around €8.8 to €6.5 per square meter per month, reflecting wide differences across the country.