The Valencia Community stands out in Spain for having the highest share of vacant homes, with about 5% of property owners holding unused residences. This finding comes from Fotocasa Research’s latest analysis on empty houses in Spain. Madrid shows a notably lower share, around 2.4%, while Catalonia sits close at 2.8%. In Andalusia, roughly 4% of owners keep a home unoccupied. (Fotocasa Research, 2024)
Among the reforms under the Right to Housing Law, a measure imposes an up to 150% surcharge on the property tax for vacant houses. The policy targets homes that have not been lived in for more than two years without justified reasons, as well as owners who hold four or more homes. In practical terms, about 0.9% of adults 18 and over fall into the first two categories and would face the surcharge if they own at least four properties. This approach aims to encourage use of housing stock and deter long-term vacancy. (Policy overview, 2024)
In Spain, a majority of adults own some form of housing. Approximately 61% of people aged 18 and over own a home or joint property. Of these owners, around 79% possess a single dwelling, 17% own two homes, and about 4% own three or more. These figures highlight how ownership distribution varies across the country and how vacancy in multi-property portfolios can become a pressing issue. (Housing ownership statistics, 2023)
Property ownership patterns reveal a clear link between the number of properties owned and vacancy rates. Most owners who manage only one property tend to keep it actively in use, while those with multiple houses show higher percentages of vacancy. Specifically, a small portion—about 1% of all owners—have no vacant homes, but the trend shifts as portfolios grow. With two properties, roughly 10% of owners report at least one vacant house; with three or more properties, the share rises to about 23%. The reluctance to rent often stems from concerns about tenant defaults or potential property damage, as well as the desire to avoid the responsibilities that come with tenancy. These dynamics play a significant role in decisions about keeping homes vacant and the potential impact on housing availability. (Market insights, 2023-2024)