Catalan rents in capped zones rise 0.7% while Barcelona prices fall 4.4% since 2024 cap

Rents in capped and uncapped zones

The Generalitat published its second-quarter 2026 figures on Monday, 2 November 2026, drawn from rental deposits lodged with Incasòl. The average rent in Catalonia was 877.81 euros a month. In tense zones, where the cap applies, it was 894.05 euros, against 648.22 euros in municipalities outside the regime. In Barcelona city the average stood at 1,140.89 euros.

Catalonia overall877.81

Tense zones (capped)894.05

Non-tense zones648.22

Barcelona city1,140.89

Catalonia overall

877.81 EUR per month

Tense zones (capped)

894.05 EUR per month

Non-tense zones

648.22 EUR per month

Barcelona city

1140.89 EUR per month

Data from the article text

The 0.7% rise in tense zones compares rents with the first quarter of 2024, before the cap entered into force in March 2024. Measured year on year, those zones rose 2.6%, still below the 3.2% inflation rate the INE cited for June. Municipalities outside the regime recorded an 11% increase, and Barcelona's average rent, up 0.5% over the year, sits 4.4% below its pre-cap level. The councillor, Sílvia Paneque, presented the numbers as proof that the regulation works, and said:

“We observe containment in the tense zones and, by contrast, we see that municipalities outside those zones are recording a very significant increase.”

Barcelona: smaller flats and a near-flat contract market

The average price per square metre in Barcelona reached 17.13 euros a month in the second quarter, the highest in the historical series, and rose 3.4% from a year earlier, above the 3.2% inflation rate. Over the same period the average floor area of rented homes fell from 75 to 71 square metres since the cap took effect, according to El Mundo. Incasòl data show 7,845 new rental contracts signed in Barcelona in the quarter against 7,757 terminated, a net balance of 88. That is the lowest second-quarter balance since 2019, following net balances of 2,596 in 2023, 421 in 2024 and 348 in 2025.

Q2 20232,596

Q2 2024421

Q2 2025348

Q2 202688

Q2 2023

2596 contracts

Q2 2024

421 contracts

Q2 2025

348 contracts

Q2 2026

88 contracts

Data from the article text

Across Catalonia, 26,449 contracts were signed and 23,937 ended, a net 2,512, which is 227 more than in the second quarter of 2025. Paneque denied that the cap has reduced supply and said the figures refute that argument. Property agents have complained that the measure is producing fewer new rental contracts, a view the Generalitat rejects.

Seasonal rentals, room lets and inspections

Seasonal rental contracts fell 40.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, 963 contracts fewer, after a 32% drop in the first quarter. The price rules for seasonal and room rentals have applied since December 2025. Paneque said many of these flats have moved into room rentals, which are also regulated, and that the government sees the shift as a possible opening for violations. She also said the data show a sharp drop in temporary-use contracts, and said:

“we see a very significant reduction in temporary-use contracts, of around 40%”

The Dirección General de Disciplina, created in August, has 50 inspectors against a target of 100 and has carried out 600 inspections. It has opened 45 sanction files proposing 1,300,000 euros in fines, and room rentals are among its priorities. Paneque cautioned that any sanction will still take time to impose, because the system is very guarantee-oriented and the procedures are long.

Speculative purchase law stalls in Parliament

President Salvador Illa said the agreement with the Comuns has not been broken and that the objectives remain the same, but he acknowledged that provisions flagged as potentially unconstitutional by the Consell de Garanties Estatutàries had been revised. Jéssica Albiach, the Comuns leader, accused him of changing the purpose of the law by limiting only the use of homes bought by large holders instead of curbing accumulation by other owners. She said:

“The Govern says they can buy as many homes as they want, but they must be used for residential rental.”

Each party has filed its amendments separately, so the bill would fall when it reaches the plenary unless a last-minute deal emerges. Albiach also argued that existing rules are not being enforced, citing 12 sanctions over two years. The Govern's latest proposal requires acquired homes to be used as permanent residences and seeks to bar tourist use, seasonal rentals and room rentals in municipalities declared in a housing emergency, without limiting how many homes one owner can buy.