About 73,000 households in Baix Llobregat and L'Hospitalet are estimated to have used credit for summer holidays in 2026, applying national data from the Association of Financial Users (ASUFIN) to local household numbers reported for the two areas.

For families facing housing, food and other essential costs, holiday spending paid through a personal loan can continue as monthly repayments after the trip ends. The estimate follows a record high in the share of personal-loan applications intended for travel and holidays.

ASUFIN, a Spanish association representing financial users, said 17% of people applying for a personal or consumer loan in its 2026 barometer did so to finance travel and holidays. La Vanguardia calculated the 73,000 figure by applying that national proportion to the 321,179 households recorded in Baix Llobregat in 2025 and more than 110,000 family homes in L'Hospitalet in the latest census.

Travel's share of loan applications has risen

The 73,000 figure is an estimate rather than a count of individual local loans. It applies a national proportion to the combined household total of Baix Llobregat and L'Hospitalet.

  • In 2024, travel and holidays accounted for 12.2% of credit applications in ASUFIN's data.
  • In the association's 2025 barometer, the proportion rose to 16.3%.
  • In the 2026 edition, it reached 17%, the highest level reported in the series.

Personal and consumer credit has traditionally been associated with purchases such as vehicles and household appliances, or with exceptional costs. ASUFIN's figures indicate that travel has become a larger reason for seeking this form of finance.

Loan repayments can extend beyond the summer

La Vanguardia reported that the high concentration of residents in Baix Llobregat and L'Hospitalet, alongside the cost of housing, food and other basic expenses, leaves less scope for savings for many households.

“A holiday lasts a few days; a loan can accompany the household for many months.”Financial-sector sources consulted by La Vanguardia

ASUFIN describes itself as an association of financial users that provides financial guidance to its members. Residents considering consumer credit can consult ASUFIN for information on consumer financial matters.

Reported by lavanguardia.com, nplreo.prime-yield.com, Exa, democrata.es, By Agencias, Jordi Grífol, La Vanguardia Barcelona.