Spain imposes a temporary eviction ban after protests over an 87‑year‑old woman's removal; parliament must approve the related housing proposals within 30 days.

Spain announced a ban on residential evictions after protests erupted over the removal of an 87‑year‑old woman from her flat.

The measure follows public demonstrations that gathered outside the affected building and in nearby streets. Demonstrators carried signs calling for stronger tenant protections and demanded an end to forced removals of vulnerable residents.

Legislative package

The eviction ban forms part of a broader set of proposals aimed at regulating tenancy agreements and strengthening housing security. The proposals were presented to the Congress of Deputies and the Senate on the same day as the ban.

Under Spanish constitutional procedure, the government can issue a provisional decree, but the decree must receive parliamentary approval within a prescribed period. In this case, lawmakers have 30 days to vote on the entire package. If the parliament endorses the proposals, the eviction ban will become permanent law. If the deadline passes without approval, the ban will lapse and existing eviction processes will resume.

Implementation

The ban takes effect immediately, halting all court‑ordered evictions nationwide. Courts have been instructed to suspend enforcement of existing orders until the parliamentary vote concludes. Tenants currently facing eviction are advised to seek legal counsel and to file any pending appeals before the suspension takes hold.

Housing advocacy groups said the temporary halt provides a window for vulnerable households to avoid displacement. They called on parliament to act swiftly, warning that delays could force more seniors and low‑income families onto the streets.

Next steps

Parliamentary debate is slated to begin next week. Lawmakers will examine the eviction ban alongside measures that address rent increases, landlord‑tenant dispute resolution, and social‑housing allocation. The outcome will determine whether Spain adopts a lasting framework for tenant protection or reverts to pre‑ban enforcement practices.