Catalonia’s proposed law to restrict what the government describes as speculative home purchases will not receive final parliamentary approval before at least October 2026, after Junts and the PP requested a legal opinion from the Consell de Garanties Estatutàries, the body that advises on whether Catalan legislation complies with constitutional and statutory rules.

For prospective buyers, landlords and tenants in the 271 municipalities designated as high-demand housing areas, the immediate consequence is that the proposed purchase restrictions are not yet in force. More than 90% of Catalonia’s population lives in those municipalities, according to reporting on the proposal.

The bill would amend Catalonia’s Urban Planning Law to allow local councils in high-demand housing areas to limit how homes may be bought and used. It passed its first parliamentary stage with support from the PSC, ERC, Comuns and CUP, according to reporting published on 12 July.

However, the request for an opinion from the Consell de Garanties Estatutàries means final approval is not expected before October. The legal review follows criticism that the measure could affect property rights and create legal uncertainty, as reported on 16 July.

Who the proposed restrictions would cover

Under the version agreed by the Catalan Government and Comuns in February, large property owners and companies would be the main target of the restrictions. A large owner was defined as someone holding five properties in the same high-demand area, with social entities excluded.

  • Large owners seeking to buy homes for rental would only be able to purchase an entire building and would have to place all of it on the regular rental market, subject to the legal price index.
  • Smaller owners could buy a home for their own main residence, for a close family member’s main residence, or for a long-term rental subject to existing rent controls.
  • A second home would be permitted only in a different municipality and could not be used for tourist or short-term lets.
  • People inheriting a home which they did not intend to occupy would be required to place it on the long-term rental market.

The proposed system would leave the final decision on applying restrictions to local councils. Buyers and owners should therefore note that no new purchase ban applies while the legal opinion and parliamentary negotiations are pending.

The February agreement was reported by ARA as a reform intended to prevent companies from competing with individual buyers for flats and to limit the fragmentation of building ownership.

Reported by Source Text Link, Mark Stücklin, Ben Pawlowski, Martina Alcobendas, D.M.F, David León Himelfarb, catalannews.com, russpain.com, linkedin.com, Marlon, osborneclarke.com.