Spain’s opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo has vowed to build one million homes if he wins the general election on November 29.

Speaking at a Europa Press event on Tuesday, the Partido Popular leader branded access to housing a ‘vital emergency’ needing immediate action.

He said a government led by him would make the construction target a national priority and seek an agreement with banks to help finance it.

‘We are going to sit down with the banks,’ he said, adding that he was confident a deal could be reached.

Feijoo claimed the building programme would create 500,000 jobs, although he did not set out a timetable.

The pledges form part of his housing platform ahead of the November 29 general election.

Among the measures is a tax package for buyers aged under 40 purchasing their first home.

The PP proposes cutting VAT on qualifying new homes from 10% to 4%.

For second-hand purchases, Feijoo outlined a reduction in property transfer tax, known as ITP, to 4%, alongside the option to spread payments over the mortgage term.

ITP rates currently vary between autonomous communities, so the effect would depend on where a property is purchased.

He also proposed a housing savings account offering deductions during a buyer’s first four working years, plus public guarantees covering up to 100% of the security required by lenders.

That would not necessarily mean the state paying for, or guaranteeing, the entire purchase price.

For renters, Feijoo promised income-based tax deductions. Landlords would receive tax relief for extending contracts by three years while keeping rent increases below inflation.

His planning proposals include requiring councils to publish processing times and introducing a 90-day deadline for decisions on building permits.

Under the proposal, an application would be treated as approved if the council failed to respond within that period. Projects could still be halted subsequently if they breached regulations.

Feijoo also reiterated plans to reform Spain’s Land Law and Horizontal Property Law and introduce legislation against squatters during his first 100 days in government.

He criticised delays to PP-backed legislation in Congress and argued that owners needed stronger protection.

‘It cannot be easier to live by illegally occupying a property than by paying a mortgage or rent,’ he said.