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Spain: general strike over housing and wages

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This dossier follows Spain’s nationwide mobilisation over housing and wages, its course and documented effects. Union estimates are distinguished from independent observations.

Latest event : 2 key moments
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Housing-rights demonstration in Madrid in October 2024.
Archive from 13 October 2024; not 11 November 2026. Fernando Jiménez Briz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/; resized. — Fernando Jiménez Briz / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ ; Madrid, 13 octobre 2024 ; taille réduite.

Where things stand

By the evening of 11 November 2026, demonstrations were concluding the strike day. Authorities estimated 120,000 marchers in Madrid and 55,000 in Barcelona; organisers’ higher estimates differ between reports.

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Confirmed

Spain: large demonstrations conclude housing and wages strike

Demonstrations crossed Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities on 11 November 2026 after the general strike over housing and purchasing power. Authorities estimated 120,000 participants in Madrid and 55,000 in Barcelona, according to EFE and AFP.

Housing-rights demonstration in Madrid in October 2024.
Archive from 13 October 2024; not 11 November 2026. Fernando Jiménez Briz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/; resized. — Fernando Jiménez Briz / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ ; Madrid, 13 octobre 2024 ; taille réduite.

Organisers’ figures were much higher. For Madrid, EFE reports 400,000 marchers and Europa Press 600,000, both attributed to the Tenants’ Union. These differing estimates should not be treated as an established count or as the number of people striking nationwide.

AFP describes late-evening clashes in Madrid and Barcelona after initially peaceful marches, as well as transport disruption during the day. Housing and wages remain central demands. This assessment of the demonstrations follows the earlier report on the strike’s opening.

Sources 3
Reported information

Spain’s general strike begins with pickets and tensions in Madrid

Spain’s 24-hour general strike began on 11 November 2026 with pickets and early incidents in Madrid, according to EFE and Europa Press. Participating organisations are demanding better wages and more affordable access to housing.

A view of Mercamadrid in 2014.
2014 archive; not the pickets of 11 November 2026. Manuelyt / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ; 11 juin 2014 ; taille réduite. — Manuelyt / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ; 11 juin 2014 ; taille réduite.

CCOO and UGT report strong participation in the first work shifts. These are union estimates, rather than an independent assessment of the whole day.

In Madrid, union officials accuse police of charging pickets and using gas. Europa Press also reports that normal activity had resumed at Mercamadrid around dawn. The nationwide extent of work stoppages and their effects on transport remain to be measured; local incidents do not establish a general shutdown.

Sources 2