According to the regional executive, the average rent in the Alava capital fell by 4.3% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the last quarter of 2025. Analyzing the price per square meter, the decrease was 4.5%.
The mayor highlighted that these “objective” figures break a continuous growth dynamic over the last decade, a period in which the average rent price increased by 51% in Vitoria-Gasteiz. “Twelve months have passed since we embarked on a path with the aim of curbing the progressive increase in rents, changing a clearly worrying trend, and guaranteeing something as basic as access to decent and affordable housing,” stated Etxebarria, who believes that “seeing the evolution of prices, we know we are heading in the right direction”.
In the first three months of the year, Vitoria-Gasteiz led the reduction in rents among the three Basque capitals, all of which have been declared tensioned zones. While in the Alava capital the average monthly price dropped by 4.3%, in San Sebastián the decrease was 2.6%, and in Bilbao, the rent remained practically stable, with a slight increase of 0.5%.
Despite this positive data, the mayor urged caution. “It cannot be stated that the decrease recorded in one quarter alone solves the problem. But we do see that it marks a trend,” explained the Vitoria councilwoman.
Action Plan
The declaration of a tensioned zone is one of the five main pillars of the housing action plan launched this legislative term by the Etxebarria cabinet.
The declaration of a tensioned zone is one of the five main pillars of the housing action plan launched this legislative term by the Etxebarria cabinet.
In addition to controlling rental prices, the municipal housing plan is structured around four other major areas of action: increasing the supply of protected housing through collaboration and agreements with the Basque Government; urban regeneration and residential rehabilitation, with actions such as those developed in Zaramaga or the construction and rehabilitation of homes in the Casco Medieval for youth rental; mobilizing vacant housing through the application of a 50% surcharge on the Property Tax (IBI) for unoccupied homes; and promoting new residential solutions, notably the ordinance that will allow for the conversion of ground floor spaces into dwellings.
