Number of squatters in the Canary Islands fell by 10% in 2025
Reports of illegal property occupation in the Canary Islands fell by 10.1% in 2025, with 596 cases recorded across the islands. The latest figures from Spain’s Ministry of the Interior suggest a slight drop compared to the previous year.
The statistics cover two types of offences: people moving into empty properties without permission, and the more serious crime of entering someone’s home unlawfully. Most cases relate to vacant homes rather than properties where people are living.
Across Spain, cases also dropped by almost 10%, with 14,875 incidents recorded by police. Catalonia remains the region with the highest number of reports, accounting for nearly four in ten cases nationwide, although it also saw a large fall compared to 2024.
Other regions with high numbers include Andalucía, the Valencia region and Madrid. The Canary Islands sit mid-table compared to the rest of the country, with fewer cases overall than the worst-affected areas.
Despite the recent decrease, long-term trends show the problem has grown over the past decade. Around 3,000 cases were recorded each year in 2010 and 2011, but numbers have risen sharply since then, peaking in recent years.
The Spanish government has repeatedly urged people not to panic about the issue. Officials stress that cases involving someone breaking into an occupied home are rare, and that most incidents involve empty or unused properties.
