Spain’s rental nightmare laid bare: How up to 85 families are forced to ‘audition’ for homes in the hottest markets – with demand surging in Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante and elsewhere [Video]

SPAIN’S growing rental nightmare has been laid bare by the latest statistics from the second quarter of 2024. 

According to property portal Idealista, across Spain, the average flat has 32 people applying for a viewing before being taken off the market. 

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The figure represents a 55% increase on the same period last year. 

Malaga, which has become a mecca for digital nomads and expats, has seen interest soar to an average of 37 viewing requests per home. 

The figure is a 20% year-on-year increase, during which time rental prices have grown nationally by 9.8%. 

It follows repeated protests by locals in the city (pictured above), who claim Airbnb-style lets are reducing demand and hiking up prices.

The most overcrowded markets are Vitoria, with 85 interested renters per home, followed by Guadalajara (64), Barcelona (63), …