Catalonia studies limiting the purchase of apartments that are not for habitual residence

The Generalitat analyzes the possibility of vetoing the acquisition of homes for those who do not use them as their main residence. The measure, promoted following a report from the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan (PEMB), seeks to protect stressed areas of the real estate market against purchases for speculative purposes.

President Salvador Illa has requested a legal study on the proposal and has stressed that any action must be “legally relevant, realistic and effective.”

Catalonia is already leading the intervention in the housing market: it maintains rent caps, prepares a mandatory registry of large holders and has increased the ITP for this group. The real estate sector, however, warns that new restrictions could reduce supply and increase pressure on prices.