Gipuzkoa faces rising housing costs and energy poverty

The Basque region, specifically the province of Gipuzkoa, is facing significant economic pressures regarding housing and energy costs. In the real estate sector, Zarautz has emerged as the most expensive location in Euskadi, with property prices exceeding 7,000 euros per square meter. This follows San Sebastián, which averages approximately 6,680 euros per square meter. The high demand and coastal location have driven luxury property prices in areas like Mendilauta to over 1.5 million euros.

Simultaneously, energy costs are impacting a large portion of the population. An assessment by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa indicates that approximately 105,100 residents—roughly one in seven people—are at risk of energy poverty. This affects 37,200 households that struggle to afford electricity and heating. The number of affected individuals increased by 11,300 between 2023 and 2024, a trend exacerbated by global energy market volatility and geopolitical tensions.