The Spanish housing market remains highly strained. A recent analysis by the property portal Idealista shows that around 16 to 17 per cent of all rental homes in Spain are let within less than 24 hours. This means that roughly one in every six advertised properties effectively disappears from the market almost immediately. This phenomenon, known as “alquiler exprés” or express renting, has gained significant importance in recent years and is no longer limited to individual major cities, but affects large parts of the country.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Most affected: Barcelona, San Sebastián and Girona
The trend, however, shows clear regional differences, with certain cities being particularly affected. In San Sebastián, up to 40 per cent of available rental properties are sometimes let within a single day, making it one of the most extreme examples of this trend. In Barcelona, the figure is also very high, reaching around 39 per cent, while in Girona roughly one third of all listings remain online for less than 24 hours. Bilbao also shows a noticeably strained market, with values of over 20 per cent. By comparison, Madrid is lower, but still in the double-digit range, indicating a significantly increased level of dynamism in the rental market.
Why are homes disappearing from the market so quickly?
Experts attribute this development to several factors acting at the same time. One of the main reasons is the acute shortage of housing in many cities, where demand significantly exceeds available supply. In addition, there is very strong competition among prospective tenants, who often have to respond within just a few hours in order to stand any chance of securing a viewing or a rental offer.
This situation is further intensified by structural developments in economically attractive regions, where urbanisation, inward migration and tourist pressure place long-term strain on the housing market and further restrict the available supply.
A market with no time to think
For prospective tenants, this development has tangible consequences in everyday life. In many cities, there is barely any time left for longer decision-making processes, as properties often disappear from the market just a few hours after being listed. Estate agents increasingly report that applicants are under considerable pressure and frequently have to respond immediately, as any hesitation can effectively mean losing the property.
A Europe-wide noticeable trend
The share of express rentals in Spain has now stabilised at a persistently high level. Around one in every six rental properties nationwide is let within 24 hours, while significantly higher figures are recorded in particularly sought-after regions. Previous analyses also show that this trend has steadily increased in recent years and has, especially in 2025 and 2026, stabilised at a consistently high level, with regional peaks reaching well above 30 per cent in some cases.
Impacts on the housing market
The effects of this development are clearly felt across the entire rental market. The rapid letting of properties is contributing, among other things, to further rising rents, as high demand is intensifying competition. At the same time, many tenants are seeing their room for manoeuvre shrink, as decisions have to be made ever more quickly and there is hardly any scope left for negotiation.
This dynamic is increasingly leading to a broad public debate about the housing situation in Spain and the question of how sufficient affordable housing can be created in the long term.
