New regulations have intensified the fight against squatters. What has changed in 2026?

In 2025, significant changes to the law came into force, concerning, among other things, “squatters,” i.e., the illegal occupation of property without the owners’ consent. This does not really occur on the Costa del Sol, but in regions such as Catalonia, it is still widespread.

Evictions and “inquiokupas.” What changed in 2026?

At the beginning of 2026, Spain saw an intense political debate surrounding the so-called “escudo social,” a package of social measures originally introduced during the pandemic. Among other things, it provided for a moratorium on evictions in special cases of economic vulnerability and protection for certain households against losing their homes.

In February 2026, the Congress of Deputies rejected the extension of these regulations. Arguments were raised in the public debate that these provisions could encourage the phenomenon of so-called inquiokupas (tenants who stop paying rent). In practice, however, the regulations did not grant new rights to people illegally occupying properties, but only concerned social protection in specific situations.

Spanish authorities step up fight against “okupas”

From now on, cases of property occupation by “okupas” will be considered by the courts in different categories, with faster procedures. This guarantees that once a case is brought to court, it will be considered within a maximum of 15 days. The judgment will be issued within a few days of the hearing.

At the same time, the Audiencia Provincial de Barcelona, the equivalent of a Polish district court, has adopted a groundbreaking criterion. According to this criterion, the disconnection of utilities by the owner of an illegally occupied property will not be considered (as before) a crime of coercion. This is part of efforts to increase protection against “okupas” in Spain. If the Supreme Court upholds this approach, apartment and house owners will gain another tool to protect their property.

– The change in the regulations concerning “okupas” is somewhat surprising, but in a positive sense, as it has finally been achieved. Earlier information did not indicate the possibility of amending the regulations, but this is exactly what has happened. It is particularly important to speed up procedures and the consideration of cases by the courts. Although the phenomenon of “okupas” does not really affect Marbella and the Costa del Sol, it is very important from the point of view of the entire real estate market. However, we should remember that reporting a property violation within 48 hours still allows the police to take immediate action and free up the property, says Agnieszka Marciniak-Kostrzewa, founder of Agnes Inversiones, the largest, oldest, and most recognizable Polish real estate agency on the Costa del Sol.