Data from the Institut Català del Sòl (Incasòl) reveals the rental market's reaction in tensioned areas over the past two years. Since the rent price cap was implemented in the first quarter of 2024, affecting 271 municipalities, the city of Barcelona has experienced a downward trend.
Despite the 4.71% drop in the Catalan capital since the measure's application, the average price for the first quarter of 2026, at 1,137 euros, represents a 4.61% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This year-on-year rise occurs despite a 2.04% decrease from the previous quarter.
The most significant year-on-year increases in Barcelona are concentrated in the districts of Sant Martí (+7.5%) and Nou Barris (+6.1%), followed by Horta-Guinardó (+4.4%). In contrast, compared to the previous quarter, rental prices are falling in most neighborhoods, except for Nou Barris (+1.4%) and Sant Andreu (+2.6%). Sarrià-Sant Gervasi remains the most expensive district, with an average of 1,599 euros per month, while Nou Barris offers the most affordable rentals, averaging 816.57 euros.
Concurrently, seasonal rentals have seen a rebound in Catalonia during the first quarter of the year, with 2,300 contracts formalized, a 54.8% increase from the previous quarter. Despite this rise, the figure remains 32.7% lower than in the first quarter of 2025. Barcelona leads this market with 1,845 deposits, ahead of Girona (267), Tarragona (127), and Lleida (61).
Regarding the overall market activity, the balance between new contracts and terminations has been positive in Catalonia during the first quarter, with 28,079 new contracts signed and 24,675 terminated, resulting in a positive balance of 3,404 contracts. This figure improves upon the records from the previous year and the end of 2025, indicating a recovery in contracting.
“"The law works and the law is positive. We are clear about it, housing is a right for people, not a business without limits."
“"These are the results we expected. Barcelona has stopped and frozen the rise in rental prices, and the housing supply has increased slightly."
The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, defended the law's effectiveness, highlighting Catalonia's pioneering role in applying the state housing law. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, stated that the regulation is working as expected, halting price increases and slightly boosting the available housing supply.
