Barcelona rents down 8.9% a year after cap introduced

Average rent in Catalonia has fallen by 4.9% one year after the introduction of a rent cap.

The drop is even more pronounced in Barcelona, where rents have fallen by 8.9% year-on-year.

This was announced on Tuesday by the government spokesperson and housing minister, Sílvia Paneque, who welcomed the "positive" figures, but warned "we haven't reached the end of the road."

Seasonal rental contracts surge

Government figures also show a sharp increase in seasonal rental contracts, which have risen by 52%.

In the first quarter of 2024, seasonal rentals – between one and 12 months – made up 6.1% of all rental contracts signed, whereas by early 2025 they accounted for 11%.

According to the data presented by Paneque, there were 2,242 seasonal rental contracts in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 3,417 in the same period of 2025.

The minister pointed to this sharp rise as justification for her department's plans to regulate seasonal rentals in the Catalan Parliament.

Paneque argued that the regulation would prevent misuse of seasonal rental contracts for leases that do not meet the actual criteria.

The government spokesperson also noted that the total number of rental contracts continues to grow, with 11,807 more households renting than one year ago. 

Paneque said the data demonstrates that the government's rent control measures "are helping and working."

Average rent in Barcelona nears drops to €1,087

Average rent in Barcelona continues its downward trend, falling to €1,087 in the first quarter of 2025.

Rents have therefore fallen for the second consecutive quarter, from €1,117 in the final quarter of 2024 and €1,133 in the third quarter.