Spain has lost some 393,000 homes from its long-term rental listings in just seven years, according to new figures from property website Idealista.

The number of homes advertised for permanent rental fell from 902,664 in 2018 to 510,091 in 2025, representing a 44 per cent reduction.

Idealista’s figures only count active long-term rental advertisements and exclude seasonal lets and rooms, so they do not mean that 393,000 homes have simply been left empty. However, the dramatic fall raises fresh questions about what is happening to properties that were previously available to long-term tenants.

Where have Spain’s long-term rental homes all gone?

The reduction has happened while rental prices have been moving in the opposite direction. Idealista’s latest figures show Spanish rents were 5.6 per cent higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, at an average of €15.10 per square metre. Malaga province was among Spain’s most expensive areas, at €18.80 per square metre, after a run of rises that has already pushed Malaga rents above Barcelona.

Some of the country’s biggest tourist and expat markets have seen particularly strong pressure. Andalucia lost 34,403 long-term rental listings between 2018 and 2025, falling from 136,003 to 101,600. The province of Malaga is now one of Spain’s most expensive rental markets, with the latest Idealista figures putting the average at €18.80 per square metre.

For foreign residents, the problem is particularly relevant because the supply of homes available to rent is already competing with demand from Spanish households, international workers, students and people moving to popular coastal areas. Some of that demand is already spilling inland, with foreign renters searching in Jaen and Badajoz, places that were almost unthinkable before for expat living.

Are landlords being pushed out of the market?

That question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as Spain introduces tighter rules for the rental sector. The latest Government housing measures include limits on rent increases, stronger protection for some tenants and restrictions affecting other parts of the rental market. Critics argue that increasing regulation can make some owners less willing to offer properties on the long-term market.

That does not necessarily mean every landlord is selling up or leaving a property empty, but some may have changed to seasonal rentals (AirBnB style), sell the property, use it themselves or simply decide that the potential legal and financial risks of becoming a landlord are not worthwhile.

That could include foreign owners who bought a second home in Spain and previously considered putting it on the long-term rental market when they were not using it themselves.

Landlords not the bad guys

Spain’s landlords are not simply big investment companies. More than 90 per cent of homes rented as habitual residences belong to private individuals who have just one rental property, according to a study by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the CSIC. These can be ordinary property owners who inherited a flat from a parent, for example, bought a second home when Spanish property prices were far lower, or acquired a property over many years and decided to rent it out. For such owners, becoming a landlord may be a relatively small part of their finances rather than a professional business. The question is whether increasingly complicated rental rules and concerns about recovering their property could persuade some of these owners to sell, leave their homes empty or choose another type of rental.

In the latest round of rental-law legislation, one of the measures that didn’t pass was that landlords would have had to pay back 12-month’s worth of rent to the tenant if they wanted to recover the property.

The Government disputes the idea that its policies are reducing the overall rental stock. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez has challenged the interpretation of the Idealista figures and says Spain has 380,000 more rented homes than in 2021.

Government figures also show that small private landlords still account for a substantial part of the rental market. A Ministry of Consumer Affairs and CSIC study found that private landlords with just one rented property account for around 39 per cent of rented homes, with the remainder held by landlords with multiple properties, companies, funds and public bodies.

Spain faces a serious rental supply dilemma

The competing figures underline the central problem facing Spain’s rental market. Protecting tenants can provide greater security for people already renting a home, but owners also need to believe that putting a property into the long-term rental market is worthwhile. Separate estimates already put Spain’s wider housing shortfall at around 740,000 homes.

With almost 393,000 fewer long-term rental advertisements than in 2018 and rents still rising, the question is no longer simply how Spain can protect tenants. It is also how the country can persuade enough property owners to keep offering homes to rent.

Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists, business travellers and people visiting family, but a series of missile attacks has left travellers asking a straightforward question: is it still safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?

The latest advice suggests anyone with a non-essential trip planned should think carefully before travelling.

🇸🇦🇾🇪 ⚡️New footage from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reportedly shows an aircraft destroyed following a Houthi missile attack.

The damage appears significant. https://t.co/a5OS4f92Pe

— War Flash (@WarFlash_2630) October 8, 2026

What is happening in Saudi Arabia?

Yemen’s Houthi movement has launched a series of missile and drone attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia, with airports among the sites facing an increased threat. On Thursday, October 8, a fresh attack targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A Saudia Airlines aircraft was badly damaged and caught fire while parked at the airport, while flights were disrupted and passengers were evacuated. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack.

More than 100 flights from Riyadh were cancelled, with several international airlines suspending services or changing their schedules. Saudi authorities have said missiles aimed at Riyadh were intercepted, with debris causing damage elsewhere in the capital.

What does the UK say?

Update to FCDO Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia 👇

Travel advice: https://t.co/xoI1EuIq2t https://t.co/KTSqrMNYRy

— UK in Saudi Arabia 🇬🇧🇸🇦 (@UKinSaudiArabia) October 8, 2026

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its Saudi Arabia travel advice on October 8. It now advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh province, as well as Aseer, Najran and Jizan provinces and Taif city and Taif International Airport.

The FCDO continues to advise against all travel within 10 kilometres of the border with Yemen.
The British government says there is a heightened threat to airports, military bases, ports and energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and warns that further attacks are possible.

Travellers are also warned to expect possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other disruption at short notice.

What does Spain say?

Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also advising caution. Its current travel advice says the Middle East is affected by a regional conflict and advises postponing travel to Saudi Arabia unless it is necessary.

Spanish authorities say Saudi airspace remains open and commercial flights are still operating, but warn that services can change without notice because of the unstable situation.

Should you cancel your trip?

For anyone planning a holiday or other non-essential visit, the current official advice is clear enough to warrant reconsidering the timing. Anyone who must travel should check their airline before leaving for the airport and continue monitoring official travel advice.

Saudi Arabia: The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as of October 8 and reminds all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance. The Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports, and the military conflict has the potential to escalate. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. U.S. citizens are advised to not travel near the Yemen border. Follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense.
U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif.
More at https://t.co/MfbGz5Fc2D

— TravelGov (@TravelGov) October 8, 2026

Travellers already in Saudi Arabia should follow instructions from the local authorities, keep their departure plans under review and avoid military facilities, oil infrastructure and areas affected by attacks.

The FCDO also warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if someone travels against its advice. Saudi Arabia’s airspace is still open, so this is not a blanket warning that the entire country is closed to visitors. However, with Riyadh now included in the UK’s heightened travel warning and attacks affecting major airports, the situation can change quickly.

Anyone with a trip booked for the coming days should therefore check the latest government and airline advice before travelling.

If you are planning a supermarket run during Spain’s October 12 national holiday, checking the opening hours before leaving home could save you a wasted journey.

The national day of Spain, known as the Dia de la Hispanidad, falls on a Monday this year, allowing many people to enjoy a long weekend. However, there is a catch for anyone who is putting off their weekly shop: There will be different opening hours in many supermarkets across the country, and some of the country’s biggest chains are expected to close most of their stores.

There is no one rule for all supermarkets. While some retailers may close most of their stores for the holiday, others will open certain locations or operate on shortened hours, depending on the city, region, and store.

So, if you find yourself at home on Monday morning and realizing there’s no milk in the fridge, here’s what you need to know before heading out.

Mercadona, Lidl and Aldi: which supermarkets open on October 12?

Mercadona shoppers should plan ahead. The chain is expected to operate its normal 9am to 9.30pm schedule on Saturday, October 10, before closing virtually all of its supermarkets on both Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12.

Saturday is the safest day for those who normally use Mercadona and need to stock up before the holiday weekend.

The situation is less straightforward at Lidl.

Opening hours for Lidl are not fixed nationwide. Instead, the store’s hours may vary depending on its location and the store itself. To check the store hours of your local Lids store, please search for your nearest Lidz store using their official store finder which provides the store opening hours and special holiday schedules.

The same principle applies to Aldi, where October 12 opening depends on location.

Some Madrid stores, for example, are expected to remain open on the public holiday. The branch at Calle Conde de Penalver, 45 and the store on Carretera del Barrio de la Fortuna, 1 are scheduled to open from 10am until 10pm.

Meanwhile, Aldi supermarkets at Avenida de Santa Eugenia, 4 and Avenida de Juan Antonio Samaranch, 55 are expected to operate from 10am until 9pm.

These are not Aldi’s general store hours, however. Customers from other areas of Spain should check their store’s hours before travelling.

Carrefour, DIA and Alcampo opening hours vary by location

For customers who shop at Carrefour, DIA or Alcampo, the answer is mainly in where you live.

Dia will be keeping some of its supermarkets open on October 12, as it operates in areas of high residential and tourist activity. However, there will be no uniform timetable for openings, and so some stores may be open while others may not be or may be restricted.

DIA’s customers can use the store finder to search for their town or address to get the latest news about their nearest store.

Alcampo is also a store-based approach. Alcampo’s store finder on its website lets customers enter their postcode and find information about a particular supermarket or hypermarket.

Carrefour also informs customers that the holiday hours are not the same in all its stores. It provides an online tool to check the holiday opening hours for a store near you. It is especially important to check this before visiting the store on Monday.

For all three chains, checking before setting off is especially worthwhile on a national holiday, when Google-listed opening times or someone’s experience from a previous year may not necessarily reflect the schedule for October 12.

Shopping in Spain on October 12? Check before you leave home

The easiest plan of action is this: If you need a major grocery shop, do it before Monday.

Mercadona customers should stock up by Saturday. Lidl, Aldi, DIA, Carrefour and Alcampo shoppers may have more choices depending on their location.

People who are staying in the tourist places will also find more supermarkets open than the ones in other parts of the country. But there is no guarantee that they will be open since the shops are usually open for seven days a week.

And even if a supermarket is open on October 12, it may be open for less time than usual.

Before you leave for your destination, check the store locator of the chain for the specific store you plan to visit. It’s especially helpful early in the morning or late at night when holiday hours make it more likely that the doors are closed.

For anyone planning a long weekend away, hosting friends or avoiding an empty fridge, a few minutes of searching and maybe even an early trip to the store could make October 12 much easier.