Local Enforcement of National Moratorium
The Barcelona City Council’s Commission for Ecology, Urbanism, and Housing approved a proposal on Tuesday 20th October 2026 urging the municipal government to guarantee the full enforcement of a national anti-crisis decree that includes a moratorium on evictions. The move aims to ensure that no resident loses their home due to economic hardship, by requiring the city to actively intervene in any planned evictions. The proposal was presented by Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and passed with support from ERC, PSC, and Barcelona en Comú. It calls for the city to act ex officio, on its own initiative, in all eviction proceedings to ensure compliance with both the national decree and local protections.
We want Barcelona to be prepared from day one,
Republican councillor Eva Baró said, stressing that housing regulations are only effective if implemented. She called for all available resources to be mobilised so the decrees deliver tangible benefits for residents.
Rental Protections and Affordable Housing Push
The measure also urges the continuation of existing policies, including the automatic extension of rental contracts, protection for vulnerable households, and efforts to expand the city’s stock of affordable housing. These actions are intended to strengthen tenant security amid ongoing economic pressures. The municipal government has been given one month to produce a report detailing how the national and local decrees have been applied, including specific actions taken to halt evictions and support at-risk residents. Residents facing housing insecurity are encouraged to contact the city’s Municipal Drive to Combat Evictions portal for assistance: Municipal drive to combat evictions. The national decree, approved by the Spanish Executive and ratified by the Permanent Deputation of the Congress of Deputies, provides the legal framework for temporary eviction relief. Barcelona’s motion ensures local authorities will actively uphold it.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona. Reported by elperiodico.com, El Periódico Barcelona.
