Sumar is negotiating with Junts per Catalunya over a revised housing decree that could extend some rental contracts until 2028, while adding rules for seasonal and room lets and a higher VAT rate for tourist apartments. The party says it wants to bring the text to the Council of Ministers as soon as possible, but only after securing enough support for Congress to validate it.

For tenants in Barcelona and other high-pressure housing areas, the proposed extension could delay the point at which eligible contracts must be renegotiated. The measure is not yet in force, and the final package remains subject to talks between the governing PSOE and Sumar coalition and its parliamentary partners.

“We are going to bring it to the Council of Ministers as soon as possible, trying to have the votes secured in Congress so that this time it can be validated.”Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture and Sumar spokesperson

Rental extension and tourist-let measures remain under negotiation

According to El Constitucional’s reporting, the package agreed in principle by PSOE and Sumar includes an automatic extension of certain rental contracts until 2028. Sumar has said the mechanism could affect nearly four million people.

The Government had previously set out several elements of the proposed decree. These include written-contract requirements and tighter regulation for seasonal and room rentals, which it says have been used to avoid rules applying to permanent homes.

  • Some eligible rental contracts could be extended until 2028.
  • Seasonal and room-rental contracts would face stricter regulation and written-contract requirements.
  • VAT on tourist apartments is proposed to rise from 10% to 21%.
  • Owners who reduce rents could receive personal income tax incentives.

The proposed 21% VAT rate for tourist apartments is intended to make that use more costly and encourage homes back into residential rental, particularly in large cities and designated high-pressure areas, according to the Government’s earlier outline of the decree.

Junts and Podemos hold opposing positions

Junts has previously described the proposal as interventionist and called for Catalonia’s housing powers to be respected, as well as stronger protections for small owners. Tax relief for landlords is among the concessions being discussed to secure its support.

Podemos has opposed tax advantages for owners and has called for protections against evictions of vulnerable households to remain in the package. Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, said the text was still being negotiated, with Junts considering some measures excessive and parties to the left of PSOE considering them insufficient.

Congress rejected an earlier decree containing the extraordinary rental extension in April. PP, Vox, Junts and UPN voted against it, while the Basque Nationalist Party, PNV, abstained.

What tenants can do now

Tenants whose contracts are approaching their end date should check the terms of their current agreement and wait for the final decree and its congressional validation before relying on any extension. The proposed rules have not yet created a new application process or changed existing contract deadlines.

Separately, the Council of Ministers approved the 2026–2030 State Housing Plan on 21 April, with €7 billion in state and regional funding for affordable and protected public housing.

Primary sources: La Moncloa. Reported by elconstitucional.es, elindependiente.com.