Spain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda is allocating €45 million to develop 1,525 affordable accommodation units for students and university staff, in a move aimed at easing pressure on rental markets in university cities.
The funding will be distributed among six universities across Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia, Castilla y León and the Valencian Community. The largest allocation, of €13.37 million, will go to the Autonomous University of Madrid, followed by €8.2 million for the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Albacete and €6.5 million for Pablo de Olavide University in Seville. The University of Burgos will receive €5.94 million, while Universitat Jaume I in Castelló has been allocated €4.46 million and the University of Jaén €2.97 million.
The Ministry has opened a public consultation on the Royal Decree governing the grants, following more than a year of discussions with the universities involved. Based on projects that already have concrete proposals, the first phase is expected to deliver 1,525 accommodation units.
The developments will have to retain their public purpose and be offered at affordable prices, with maximum rents to be established by the Ministry through the relevant resolutions or agreements. The price cap will include services such as electricity, water and Wi-Fi.
The initiative forms part of an inter-ministerial protocol signed in October 2024 by the Ministries of Housing and Urban Agenda, Science, Innovation and Universities, and Economy, Trade and Business to promote affordable university rental accommodation.
The programme is also aligned with Spain’s 2026-2030 State Housing Plan, which aims to increase affordable accommodation through the mobilisation of public and institutional land, including through public-private partnerships, while supporting young people’s independence and academic mobility.
