Valencia Community stands out as the region with the highest share of vacant homes in Spain, accounting for about 5% of homeowners. This finding comes from the latest analysis titled empty houses in Spain, released by Fotocasa Research. By contrast, Madrid records the smallest share, around 2.4%, with Catalonia a close second at 2.8%. Andalusia sits at roughly 4% of owners keeping a residence unused. These figures reflect broader patterns in property ownership and utilization across major regions and hint at underlying factors such as investment housing, secondary residences, and regional housing demand that influence how many homes sit unoccupied. The contrast between Valencia and Madrid underscores how regional economic dynamics and population mobility shape the occupancy status of the housing stock, a topic of interest for policymakers, urban planners, and prospective buyers alike. [Citation: Fotocasa Research, Empty houses in Spain report]
One notable element introduced by the Right to Housing Law is the possibility of a surcharge on vacant properties, potentially rising to 150 percent for homes that have not housed occupants for more than two years without justification or for owners who control four or more properties. In practical terms, about 0.9% of adults aged 18 and over would fall into the category that triggers the surcharge, provided they own at least four properties. This policy aims to deter idle real estate and encourage optimal use of housing stock, nudging owners to consider rental or sale options that could increase market availability. The policy signals a shift toward using taxation to influence housing utilization and to address concerns about housing supply in urban areas where vacancy rates have implications for affordability and neighborhood vitality. [Citation: Right to Housing Law summary]
Across Spain, a majority of adults own a home or have a jointly held property. The latest data indicate that about 61% of people aged 18 and over are homeowners or share ownership in a property. Of this group, roughly 79% own a single residence, 17% own two properties, and 4% hold three or more properties. These figures reveal a strong baseline level of home ownership, while also illustrating the distribution of properties among owners. The pattern suggests that a substantial portion of homeowners maintain more than one dwelling, which can influence local vacancy rates and the demand for renting or selling additional units. [Citation: National housing statistics]
When examining sole proprietorship, most owners keep their assets actively engaged. A small minority, about 1%, own an empty property. Yet the more dwellings an owner possesses, the higher the likelihood of vacancy among their holdings. Specifically, around 10% of owners with two properties report at least one vacant home, while the figure rises to about 23% among those who own three or more houses. The central concern driving these vacancies appears to be a fear of tenant defaults or potential property damage, which discourages owners from renting out unused spaces. This dynamic highlights the tension between ownership wealth and practical occupancy, reminding readers that vacancy can reflect risk management choices as well as market conditions. [Citation: housing occupancy study]