Spanish families seeking to purchase a home now face a financial hurdle where affordability requires a household income sufficient to support a mortgage payment of no more than 887 euros per month, according to recent analysis of housing accessibility criteria.
The benchmark comes as the average mortgage amount for homes in Spain rose to 172,535 euros in December 2025, a 13.5% increase from the previous year, data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) shows. A total of 37,841 home purchase mortgages were inscribed in property registries that month, representing a 17.4% year-on-year increase.
While the increase in mortgage volume suggests continued demand, the rising cost of borrowing presents a challenge for many prospective homeowners. The average interest rate on new mortgages stood at 2.87% in December, according to INE. This increase in both property values and borrowing costs is contributing to the pressure on household budgets.
The 887 euro affordability threshold is specifically tied to accessibility criteria, suggesting a focus on ensuring housing remains within reach for a broader segment of the population. Caja Rural Zamora currently lists 887.41€ as a figure related to a unique premium for a Protection of Payments Insurance, but the connection to broader accessibility standards is not explicitly stated.
The situation is unfolding against a backdrop of fluctuating interest rates and economic conditions. Recent declines in the Euribor, a key benchmark for mortgage rates, had previously been seen as potentially easing the burden on borrowers, but the overall trend in property prices continues to push affordability out of reach for many.
The INE data indicates that the total number of home purchase mortgages increased by 17.8% across the entirety of 2025, with the average mortgage amount rising by 12.6% over the same period. The agency has not yet released a statement regarding potential policy responses to these trends.
