Basque Country housing policy and development

The Basque Government has taken regulatory and developmental steps to address housing accessibility and supply within the region.

Initially, the municipality of Urduliz was designated as a ‘stressed housing market zone’ following a request from the local City Council. This legal status, valid for an initial three-year period, allows for measures intended to increase rental market accessibility, such as potential limits on initial rent for new contracts. Under this designation, ‘large holders’ are defined as entities owning five or more residential properties.

Subsequently, the government expanded its efforts through various housing initiatives and construction projects. In the Busturialdea region, the Department of Housing and Urban Agenda is promoting 53 protected units as part of a larger plan to develop 814 homes across 23 municipalities with populations under 7,000. Furthermore, a 34.6 million euro investment was approved for a collaboration with the Zarautz City Council to build 230 new homes and transitional apartments in the Irita area, with completion expected by 2030. Additional social housing units were also approved for Azkoitia.