Hard-right party Vox has tabled a motion that would prioritise Spanish citizens for access to social housing, protected housing schemes and public housing subsidies.

The proposal is due to be debated and voted on during the next plenary session of Congress and forms part of a wider package of measures aimed at tightening immigration controls.

Under the motion, the party is calling on the government to introduce a housing allocation system based on what it describes as a principle of ‘national priority’, ensuring that publicly funded housing resources are assigned first to Spanish nationals.

The proposal follows a heated exchange in parliament earlier this month, when Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez criticised the idea, describing it as ‘racist and indecent’.

Deportations and tighter residency checks

The motion goes beyond housing policy and includes a number of immigration-related measures.

Among them is a call for the repatriation of all migrants living illegally in Spain, as well as the deportation of foreign nationals who commit crimes or attempt to impose what the party describes as values incompatible with Western culture.

Vox is also advocating policies to encourage the voluntary return of foreign residents who do not work, do not contribute to the system and rely on public assistance.

The party further proposes stricter controls over municipal registration, known as the padron, in an effort to tackle fraudulent registrations, overcrowded properties and so-called ‘piso patera’ accommodation, where large numbers of people are housed in a single dwelling.

Its plan includes automatic alert systems, increased municipal inspections and additional verification procedures.

Changes to housing and immigration laws

To implement the proposals, Vox is calling for amendments to several pieces of legislation, including Spain’s local government law, immigration law and the Urban Leasing Act.

The party is also renewing its long-standing demand for a significant reduction – or complete removal – of taxes paid by Spanish citizens purchasing their first primary residence, particularly young people, families and workers.

The motion is expected to spark fierce debate when it reaches the floor of Congress, with housing and immigration remaining among the most politically charged issues in Spain.

Should British residents worry?

If Vox’s proposal were ever approved and implemented, it would probably have limited impact on most British residents living in Spain, particularly those who own their homes or rent privately.

The main change would concern access to publicly funded housing programmes. Vox wants social housing, protected housing, public rental schemes and housing subsidies to operate under a principle of ‘national priority’, meaning Spanish citizens would be given preference when public resources are allocated.

In practice, this could make it harder for British residents to access these programmes, even if they have lived and worked in Spain for many years.

The proposal would not prevent Britons from buying property on the open market. Resident and non-resident British buyers would still be able to purchase homes, sell properties and invest in Spanish real estate as they do now.

There is nothing in the motion that would restrict foreign ownership of private property.

Nor would it stop Britons from renting homes privately. However, Vox is also calling for stricter checks on padron registrations, overcrowded properties and illegal housing arrangements.

If introduced, these measures could result in greater scrutiny of landlords and tenants across Spain.

Another part of the proposal focuses on foreigners who do not work and depend on public assistance. Vox is calling for policies that would encourage the return of foreign nationals who are not contributing to the system and who rely on welfare benefits.

Exactly how such measures would work remains unclear, and any attempt to implement them would likely face significant legal challenges.

For British pensioners living legally in Spain, the impact would likely be minimal unless they were applying for housing assistance programmes. Their residency rights under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement are separate from the issues being debated in this proposal.

It’s also worth remembering that this is currently only a parliamentary motion and not law. Vox does not have a majority in Congress, and any attempt to introduce a ‘Spanish-first’ housing system would almost certainly face legal scrutiny.

EU law, Spanish constitutional protections and international agreements would all come into play.