Empty homes in Spain: everything you need to know

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We are in a time of change in terms of legislation in the real estate sector. Due to several problems that arise when owners want to sell an apartment or tenants want to have access to a rental, the Government has decided to remedy these problems through the approval of the new Housing Law. One of the problems that this new rule has sought to solve is the proliferation of empty homes in Spain. These are a very important element in the usual real estate panorama. Therefore, if you want to know more about them, we will explain everything about them below.

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What are considered empty homes in Spain?
The Government considers that empty homes are all those houses or flats that are not anyone's habitual Chinese Overseas America Number Data residence nor do any person reside there sporadically or for short periods of time and have been uninhabited for more than two years. Currently, in Spain we are one of the countries in Europe with the most empty homes.

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How many empty homes are there in Spain?
In Spain, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), there are 3.44 million empty homes. Even so, these are not updated data but are fromthe year that the INE last counted empty homes. At that time, this type of residences had increased by 10.8% in a decade.

At this time, uninhabited properties are not counted, but, if the previous data is taken into account, it cannot be ruled out that the figures have increased. That is why the Government has taken measures in this regard so that these properties do not continue to increase.



Infographic about empty homes in Spain.
IBI increase on empty homes in Spain
The Real Estate Tax (IBI) is a tax that all properties in Spain must pay, even if no one resides there. Thus, the new Housing Law dictates a 150% increase in the amount of this Tax for empty homes.

The Council establishes that this surcharge will only be charged to those who own four or more properties, so as not to harm small owners. This increase in the amount of the tax is implemented as a measure to stop the increase in this type of housing. In addition, to give a boost to the real estate market by making owners sell or rent their properties.