The average number of interested renters per listing in Spain surged to 35 in the first quarter of 2025, up from 29 a year earlier. In Barcelona, Palma and Madrid, the scramble for rental housing is hitting alarming new highs, but Málaga is bucking the trend.
Finding a rental flat in Spain’s major cities is tougher than ever. New data from property portal idealista reveals that the number of potential tenants fighting over each listing rose 20% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year—an indicator of intensifying pressure in a market defined by too many renters chasing too few homes.
In stark figures, each rental advertisement published on idealista attracted an average of 35 contacts before being taken down, compared to 29 in the same period of 2024. For those actively searching, that translates into longer waits, stiffer competition, and often higher rents.
Barcelona leads major cities, while Guadalajara tops the national chart
Among Spain’s biggest cities, Barcelona registered the highest level of competition, with 61 interested parties per listing—a daunting figure for any would-be renter. Palma closely followed with 57, while Madrid saw 42, barely above its own numbers a year ago.
But it’s not just the major metros feeling the squeeze. Guadalajara holds the national record, with a staggering 108 contacts per rental ad. Vitoria (106), Pamplona (71), and Lleida (66) round out the top of the list, showing that competition is fierce even outside the marquee markets.
In contrast, the more tranquil rental markets were found in Badajoz, Salamanca, Cáceres, and Ceuta, which all saw just 10 contacts per listing. Other low-pressure cities include Segovia, Granada (both 13), and Córdoba (14).
Demand spikes most in Lleida, Girona and Burgos
Several provincial capitals have seen their rental demand more than double over the last year. Notably, Lleida experienced a whopping 147% increase in average renter contacts per listing, followed by Burgos with 113%, Girona at 104%, Ourense (103%), and Ciudad Real (100%).
Among larger cities, Barcelona saw a dramatic 48% rise in contacts per listing, followed by Seville (41%), Bilbao (37%), Palma (34%), and San Sebastián (31%). Madrid, meanwhile, posted a modest 1% uptick.
Málaga bucks the trend
Málaga is one of a handful of cities defying the national trend, registering a 12% drop in renter interest per listing—the sharpest decline among all capitals examined. Other declining markets include Ceuta (-22%), Pontevedra (-5%), A Coruña (-4%), and Granada (-3%).
Rents may rise as competition builds
According to Francisco Iñareta, spokesperson for idealista, “Just one quarter ago we raised the alarm over the rental emergency and how dangerously competition was increasing. What’s worrying is that, instead of implementing measures to ease the situation and bring tens of thousands of families back into the rental market, the government remains committed to policies that have made things worse.”
Iñareta warns that “any halfway serious analysis concludes that the lack of supply and growing competition between families not only causes rent increases but also pushes more and more people out of the market altogether. As we said three months ago: the water keeps rising.”
In short, competition is climbing not just because demand is strong, but because supply simply isn’t keeping pace. The lack of rental stock—driven in part by regulatory uncertainty, fewer investor incentives, and growing pressure from short-term rentals—is creating a clogged market where affordability continues to deteriorate.
Rental squeeze across the board
On a national level, 31 of the 53 capital cities analysed saw double-digit increases in rental competition, with demand surging in cities both large and small. While Barcelona, Madrid, and Palma grab the headlines, mid-sized cities like Pamplona (+54%), Zaragoza (+55%), and Tarragona (+81%) are also seeing intense pressure on their rental markets.
With no significant policy changes or new housing supply in sight, the competition for Spain’s rental homes seems likely to intensify further—especially heading into the summer high season, when short-term lets peak in tourist hotspots.
