Spain holds its first general strike in 14 years over housing

Workers across Spain staged the country's first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, in anger over housing costs, rents and evictions. It is backed by the two largest unions, UGT and CCOO, plus other labor groups and tenants' associations. Spain's Youth Council says average rent is about 98.7% of a young person's average monthly salary. Train drivers also walked out Tuesday. Spain holds a snap general election on November 29.

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Why it matters

The strike hit ports, car plants, waste collection and other services, according to unions, and train drivers also walked out on Tuesday, disrupting travel. Housing is a central issue ahead of Spain's snap general election.

What to watch

Spain holds a snap general election on November 29.

How each side sees it

Unions and tenants' groups sayThey want a bigger public role in housing, a stop to speculation, empty homes put up for affordable rent or sale, and higher wages. A Madrid Tenants' Union spokesperson said: "We won't stop until we transform this country's housing model from top to bottom."

Opponents and the government sayThe opposition PP and Vox parties oppose the strike, and Valencia's employers' group says companies are working normally. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government has largely blamed the right-wing opposition, which runs many regions and cities, for rising rents and short housing supply.

Sources

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Published Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.