Housing discrimination in Europe: over 5 million excluded between Italy and Spain

It didn't go any better for Simone, a computer engineer as soon as he was hired on a fixed-term contract in a company operating in the capital. "As soon as I signed the contract I thought I could leave the accommodation I shared with students in Rome and take a house on my own,' he says, 'but I had to wait a long time before finding one. Reason? 'Among other things they asked me for,' he adds, 'was an open-ended contract, a deposit and a guarantor because at 27 I was still considered too young and therefore not reliable. It is clear that without one of these elements you are out, as happened to me'.

Discrimination in access to housing remains a major problem in Spain. According to the Form 2024 of the Survey on Living Conditions of the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), more than 1.4 million people stated that they felt discriminated against in their search for housing. The most affected groups include foreigners, young people between the ages of 16 and 44, people with disabilities and those in economically disadvantaged circumstances.

Among those who report discrimination, 27% cite ethnic origin or migrant status as the main cause, 11% age, almost 8% disability or chronic health problems and 4.5% gender. According to the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, direct discrimination in the private property market continues and is increasing: by 2024, almost 99% of estate agents would accept these discriminatory practices suggested by landlords.

On the legislative front, Spain has Law 15/2022 (known as the Zerolo Law), which establishes the principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination as a complement to the right to equality and a guarantee of all fundamental rights. The law specifically protects disability, gender equality and inclusion of the LGBTI+ community, both in the public and private sectors, with sanctions and corrective measures in case of violations.

At the operational level, the Independent Authority for Fair Treatment and Non-Discrimination monitors compliance with the law, conducts investigations and may propose administrative sanctions. In addition, the Network of Assistance to Victims of Racial or Ethical Discrimination, coordinated by CEDRE and supported by the Ministry of Equality, offers free legal and psychological support, documents incidents and helps to raise public awareness.

Discrimination also affects public spaces such as shops, bars, restaurants and sports facilities. The combination of prevention, punishment and support aims to ensure inclusive and safe environments, supported by awareness-raising campaigns in the media and social networks.

In the field of education, the Spanish authorities pay special attention to the most vulnerable students, such as those of migrant origin, ethnic minorities (e.g. Roma population), persons with disabilities, LGBTI students and those from low-income families. Several autonomous communities have launched specific inclusion programmes, such as plans for the integration of Roma students, anti-LGBTI-phobia protocols and educational support for students with special needs. In Catalonia, for example, there is an Intercultural School Plan, while in Andalusia the Roma Community Inclusion Plan addresses early school leaving with mediation and educational reinforcement programmes.

Despite these instruments, Spain has experienced serious episodes of intolerance: in 2023 hate crimes increased by 21.3%, and in 2024 they decreased by 13.8%, although they remain dominated by racism and xenophobia. The case of Torre Pacheco (Murcia) in 2025, where racist assaults and clashes were amplified by social networks, demonstrated how discrimination can explode into direct violence, underlining the need for effective prevention and monitoring systems.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project "Pulse"