Barcelona city council is launching a new rent subsidy of up to €400 per month for Barcelona residents who are single parents and residents over 55 years of age if they spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. These are the steps to apply.
Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni this week described the aid as part of the city’s so-called “social shield” for housing in the city.
The initiative seeks to protect people at risk of losing their homes and, in the case of over-55s, possibly people encountering serious difficulties in maintaining a rented flat in Barcelona for the first time.
Who can apply?
The grant is aimed at two specific profiles.
The first is single-parent families with children under the age of 21 (or up to 26 if they are still studying).
The second includes people aged 55 or over who live alone in the home for which they are applying for rental assistance.
What are the requirements?
In both cases, it is essential to meet the following requirements:
- Be the holder of a rental contract for a property located in Barcelona.
- Be registered at that address.
- The monthly rent must not exceed €1,100.
- Provide proof of legal residence in Catalonia for a minimum of 5 years.
- Allocate at least 30 percent of the household’s income to rent.
- Not own or have the right to use any other property (except in special cases of divorce or inaccessibility due to disability).
- The income of the household must not exceed the limits set out in the tables of the Catalan Income Sufficiency Indicator (IRSC):
- 1 member (2 IRSC): €24,911.79
- 2 members (2.5 IRSC): €32,102.82
- 3 members (2.5 IRSC): €33,483.58
- 4 or more members (2.5 IRSC): €34,599.70
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How does it work?
The grant will only cover the portion of the rent that exceeds 30 percent of the household income, with a minimum of €20 and a maximum of €400 per month.
Rent arrears and other items such as parking spaces or storage rooms are not included.
The benefit will be granted for a maximum period of 12 months and it will be necessary to provide monthly proof that the rent has been paid correctly by bank transfer or direct debit.
Which documents do I need?
According to Catalan outlet El Periódico, the call for applications will open on Friday 20 February and have a total budget of €6 million.
The applications will be open for 30 calendar days.
To apply, the following documents must be provided:
- Official application form, duly completed and signed by the person applying for the grant, which can be obtained from the Xarxa de l’Habitatge de Barcelona or from the website of the Consorci de l’Habitatge de Barcelona.
- Valid ID card/tax identification number/foreign resident identification number of the applicant.
- Updated certificate of cohabitation or civil registration.
- Proof of legal residence in Catalonia for 5 years.
- Bank details form for receiving the payment.
- Latest income tax return.
- If you are not required to file a tax return, a certificate of tax assessments, certificate of pensions or exempt benefits, or employment history report and income certificate.
- Rental contract (original and photocopy).
- All rent receipts for the year 2026 paid up to the date of submission of the application.
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In addition, only if applicable to the applicant, the following specific documentation must be submitted:
- Single-parent family certificate
- Separation/divorce decree and regulatory agreement
- Certificate of disability
- Proof of victim of gender-based violence
The full application and supporting documents must be submitted within the established deadline, either through the official platform of the Consorci de l’Habitatge de Barcelona or in person at any of the Xarxa d’Oficines d’Habitatge de Barcelona.
