Rising rental prices across Spain are reshaping public attitudes toward housing. According to a new report by Fotocasa Research, 71% of active private individuals in the housing market now believe that paying a mortgage is financially more advantageous than renting. This marks a slight increase from 70% in the first half of 2025 and represents the strongest consensus in the study, with an average score of 7.6 out of 10.
Ownership as a Financial Survival Strategy
The preference for buying is not merely a cultural trait but a response to the escalating cost of renting. María Matos, Head of Research and spokesperson for Fotocasa, explains: "Although getting onto the housing ladder remains difficult because of a lack of savings and high purchase prices, more and more people feel that, if they can afford to take the plunge, paying a mortgage is a more profitable option than putting a monthly payment into rent that keeps increasing. This perception reflects the huge imbalance currently affecting the rental market."
The report also highlights other traditional indicators of the Spanish market. 68% of respondents still view property as a good investment, and the same proportion say the desire to own a home remains deeply rooted in Spanish society—though this conviction has weakened from 72% in the first half of 2025. Additionally, 59% believe a home is the best legacy to leave children, down slightly from 61%.
Growing Fears of a New Property Bubble
The rapid rise in both purchase and rental prices has sparked fresh alarm. 56% of respondents now fear the market is heading toward a new property bubble, up from 54% in 2025. Meanwhile, half of active private individuals still consider renting "throwing money away," a figure unchanged from last year. Expectations that Spain will converge toward the European rental model have slipped to 40%, from 41% in 2025.
The Housing Law continues to receive poor marks. Only 28% of private individuals approve of it, and its average rating remains stuck at 4.7 out of 10. This dissatisfaction underscores the regulatory challenges facing Spain's housing market.
The survey was conducted in February 2026, reflecting the impact of the 2023–2025 period, during which interest rates eased, making mortgages cheaper, while rents continued to climb. However, the European Central Bank's recent rate hike in June adds a new layer of uncertainty. The effect of this tightening on perceptions of mortgage profitability will be examined in future reports.
For context, Spain's housing dynamics are part of a broader European picture. In countries like Germany and France, rental markets are more established, but Spain's cultural attachment to ownership remains strong. The current crisis highlights the tension between this tradition and the economic realities of a market under pressure.
As the debate over housing policy continues, the Fotocasa data offers a stark snapshot of public sentiment. With 71% of Spaniards now favoring mortgages over renting, the pressure on policymakers to address affordability and supply is mounting.
