If you are struggling to find an affordable home in Spain you’re not alone, and the argument over how to fix the housing crisis has now reached some of the world’s richest people. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has backed criticism of the Spanish government’s housing policies, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to hit back at what he calls wealthy ‘oligarchs’ who oppose measures designed to help ordinary people.

The row centres on a fundamental disagreement over what Spain needs most: more homes, as Bezos and celebrity chef José Andrés argue, or stronger government intervention to make existing housing affordable. It comes as the country faces mounting public anger over rents, evictions and a shortage of affordable properties. 

How did the row between Sánchez and Bezos start?

The dispute began after José Andrés, the Spanish-American chef and founder of the World Central Kitchen charity, criticised the government’s response to Spain’s housing crisis in a post on X on October 2. Andrés argued that politicians were announcing measures without addressing the underlying shortage of homes. He called for more construction, greater availability of land, faster planning permissions and increased investment in both public and private housing.

He also warned that subsidising people who need homes without increasing supply could push prices higher, while regulating the existing rental market would not create additional properties. Bezos publicly endorsed the chef’s argument on 3 October, writing: “Diagnosis and prescription 100% correct. And not just in Spain.” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky also backed the call for more construction, writing: “Well said. Build more housing. Everywhere.” 

Sánchez hits back at ‘oligarchs’

Sánchez responded to the criticism in an interview with Spanish news outlet El Diario published on 9 October. He questioned why wealthy business figures were weighing in against government housing measures, saying: “I wonder why these oligarchs position themselves against debates that are far removed from them.”

The prime minister also used sarcasm to challenge Andrés’s argument that Spain simply needs to build more homes. Referring to the chef’s comments, he said: “Allow me the sarcasm: we hadn’t thought of that.” Sánchez has argued that increasing construction alone will not solve the problem if housing remains unaffordable for people on ordinary wages. He wants the state to intervene more firmly in the market, including measures to protect tenants and improve access to affordable rents and home ownership. 

Housing crisis intensifies after eviction tragedy

The argument comes amid growing anger over Spain’s housing shortage, which has become a major political issue. The eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid home on September 23 sparked protests and a camp in the capital’s Puerta del Sol. Known as Maricarmen, she died in hospital on October 7 after being admitted with severe anxiety and exhaustion. No cause of death was announced.

Her case became a focus for campaigners demanding stronger protection for tenants and urgent action on housing affordability. Parliament’s rejection of government housing decrees last week intensified the dispute, with opposition parties and Junts per Catalunya voting against the measures. 

What does Sánchez want to change?

The government has proposed measures intended to make renting and buying a home more accessible, including tax relief for tenants paying rent and incentives for small landlords offering affordable rents. Other proposals include financial support for first-time buyers and measures to encourage more homes to be built. Sánchez has acknowledged that the measures alone will not resolve the crisis, saying Spain must continue building hundreds of thousands of additional homes, particularly public and affordable housing. 

The disagreement with Bezos reflects two different approaches to the same problem: whether increasing supply should take priority or whether the state must also intervene to protect people priced out of the market. For renters facing rising costs, first-time buyers struggling to save a deposit and families worried about losing their homes, the question is whether either approach can deliver affordable housing quickly enough.

The Puente del Pilar getaway is already turning into a headache for drivers across Spain, with accidents and long queues delaying people trying to get away for the four-day holiday. If you’re setting off from Madrid or Barcelona, you could face kilometres of traffic before getting very far, while motorists around Valencia and Zaragoza province are also encountering disruption.

The timing could hardly be worse for holidaymakers hoping to make the most of the long weekend. With Spain’s National Day falling on Monday, 12 October, millions are taking advantage of the break to travel, and the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) expects around 5.7 million long-distance journeys. Queues have already exceeded three kilometres on the A-1 near Madrid, while several routes around Barcelona are reporting delays of up to nine kilometres.

Accidents cause long queues leaving Madrid

Madrid was among the worst-affected areas as holiday traffic built on Friday, 9 October. Two accidents on the A-1, near the Circuito del Jarama and around Somosierra, caused queues of more than three kilometres each, according to 20minutos. Other major roads leaving the capital were also experiencing delays.

Traffic was building on the A-3 near Rivas-Vaciamadrid, the A-4 around Butarque and Pinto, the A-42 near Parla and the A-5 around Arroyomolinos. Drivers were also encountering congestion on the A-6 near Las Rozas. The problems came as people began travelling for the four-day break, putting pressure on roads leading out of Madrid during the afternoon getaway.

Barcelona faces nine-kilometre queues

Barcelona was also dealing with significant congestion, particularly on the AP-7 and the city’s ring roads. An accident on the AP-7 near Cerdanyola del Vallès, towards Girona, contributed to queues of around nine kilometres from Sant Cugat del Vallès. A further nine-kilometre stretch of congestion was reported towards Tarragona, between Mollet del Vallès and Barberà del Vallès.

The Ronda de Dalt was also heavily congested, with queues of around nine kilometres towards Llobregat and another nine kilometres towards Besòs from the Nus de la Trinitat. On the Ronda Litoral, delays extended for eight kilometres southbound and six kilometres northbound. The Servei Català de Trànsit expects up to 570,000 vehicles to leave the Barcelona metropolitan area during the Pilar holiday, adding to the pressure on the region’s main roads.

Valencia and Zaragoza routes affected

Drivers leaving Valencia were encountering heavy traffic on the A-3 near Buñol and Siete Aguas, according to traffic reports. In Zaragoza province, an accident on the A-68 near Mallén, towards Logroño, was also affecting traffic.

Elsewhere, the A-62 was closed near Villamarciel, in Valladolid province, towards Salamanca, following a collision reported at around 3:00pm. Further incidents affected the AP-7 near Sant Cugat del Vallès and the A-6 near Las Rozas, adding to the disruption as the holiday getaway gathered pace.

When will traffic be worst?

The getaway is expected to remain busy throughout the weekend, but drivers should also prepare for delays on the return journey. The DGT expects the main return traffic on Monday afternoon and evening. To view what times are best to avoid the roads this weekend see our article Spain warns drivers to avoid these four peak travel periods over October bank holiday

Remember that drivers can check the latest road conditions through the DGT website or its traffic information service on 011 before setting off. Checking for accidents and delays before choosing a route could help avoid some of the worst queues and the timing of a trip could make a significant difference to how long drivers spend on the road. Safe travels!

Packing for a trip across Spain this weekend could be unusually tricky. While some cities in the interior will wake up to 3° C, there are places in the south of the country where the afternoon temperature may still be above 30° C.

The contrast comes as cooler polar air brings a touch of autumn to central and northern areas. But anyone reaching for winter clothing may not need it for long: temperatures are forecast to rebound over the weekend before warmer air spreads across much of Spain from Monday, the 12th of October.

For residents and visitors, it could be coats first thing in the morning, and considerably lighter clothing by the afternoon, according to where they are. The difference between the coldest mornings and the warmest daytime temperatures will approach thirty degrees.

Along with the pronounced change in temperatures, another complication for weekend plans is that Aemet warnings remain in place for heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and rough seas, particularly in parts of the Mediterranean and the south.

From 3C to 31C: Spain wakes up to a dramatic temperature contrast

The biggest shock will come early in the morning. According to forecasts of Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, Ávila could fall to just 3° C this Friday, making it one of the coldest provincial capitals.

Segovia is forecast to reach 4° C, while Burgos, León, Salamanca and Huesca may fall to about 5° C; Palencia, Soria and Teruel are expected to hover around 6° C.

Madrid is another example of autumnal cold, with a temperature of about 10° in the morning and about 20° in midday. Valladolid might have a beginning of 7° and end at 19°.

If you travel south, however, you might feel like it is a different season altogether.

Granada, Málaga, and Almería are to reach about 27°C. Seville and Huelva may reach 31°C, and Cádiz and Córdoba are forecast to climb to around 28°C.

That enormous north-south contrast means travellers across Spain should be prepared for very different conditions within the same day.

The colder mornings may be felt by those who have to get up early for work, catch a morning flight, or be out of doors. Meanwhile, travellers going south will still have to look for shade during the hottest hours of the afternoon.

Spain weather warnings: storms and rough seas could disrupt weekend plans

Temperatures are only part of the picture.Despite some of the recent rainfall abating, the Mediterranean and the south of Spain will remain unsettled. There will be locally heavy rain and thunderstorms, particularly in the vicinity of Ceuta and the south-eastern coast.

Aemet warnings are in force over areas including Girona, the Balearic Islands, Lanzarote and Ceuta for rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and dangerous coastal conditions.

Some of the most difficult conditions are expected around Girona’s coastline.In parts of the Empordà there is an orange warning for coastal conditions, where northerly and north-westerly winds may reach 50 to 70 km/h, and waves may rise to between three and four metres.

Menorca is also under an orange coastal warning, with potential waves of between four and five metres, and northerly winds of around 50 to 60 km/h.

In addition, southern Girona and parts of Mallorca are on yellow alert for wind and rough seas, while Ceuta and Lanzarote face yellow alerts for rain and thunderstorms. Rainfall could reach up to 15 liters per square meter in an hour in affected areas.

For anyone planning coastal walks, ferry journeys, beach visits or other activities close to the sea, the warnings are therefore more important than the relatively mild daytime temperatures might suggest.

Spain temperatures to surge again from October 12 as warmer air returns

The cold snap is not expected to last.During the weekend temperatures will rise and then a much warmer air mass will spread across much of Spain from Sunday into Monday, October 12. This will coincide with Spain’s National Day and the end of the Pilar long weekend.

According to forecasts cited from Meteored, an anti-cyclonic ridge could bring temperatures above the seasonal average across large parts of Spain from Monday through Thursday.

Badajoz, Córdoba, Huelva, Ourense and Seville could climb back to 30° C or above, with some local temperatures exceeding 32° C.

Cáceres, Cádiz, Murcia, and Zaragoza will approach 28° C; in Madrid, temperatures may reach around 25° C. Also the nights are expected to be milder, with minimum temperatures in many inland provincial capitals struggling to fall below 10° C.

What it amounts to is an unusually changeable few days for anyone making plans around Spain.

Friday morning will be, in certain inland towns, almost as cold as in winter, and next week the temperatures may be more reminiscent of late summer.

Practically, travellers can do no better than pack for both. A jacket in Castilla y León might be invaluable very early in the morning, while sunglasses and lighter clothing may be more useful a few hours later in Andalucía.

For those staying in Spain through the October 12 holiday, the weather story may ultimately be less about how soon autumn arrives than how quickly it appears to retreat again.