Catalonia's Alt Pirineu Sees 40% Housing Boom Driven by Second Homes

The housing stock in Alt Pirineu and Aran has expanded by more than 40% over the past 25 years, marking the highest growth rate among Catalonia's regions. According to 2021 data from the Catalan Institute of Statistics (Idescat), second homes accounted for 57.23% of the 72,955 total dwellings in the area—a sharp rise from 41.06% two decades earlier.

This trend varies by district. Val d'Aran leads with 64.35% second homes, followed by Cerdanya at 63.26%, Pallars Sobirà at 62.22%, Alta Ribagorça at 60.59%, Pallars Jussà at 52.77%, and Alt Urgell at 42.32%. The number of non-primary residences nearly doubled from 21,309 in 2001 to 41,753 in 2021, with concentrations highest near ski resorts. In contrast, primary residences grew by almost 30%, from 24,014 to 31,202 over the same period.

Local authorities highlight housing access as a major challenge, particularly in rural areas where demand outstrips supply. In Josa i Tuixent, an Alt Urgell municipality with just over 100 residents, no new construction has occurred in 25 years despite interest from families seeking to relocate. Mayor Marta Poch noted that available development zones are unviable due to high costs deterring builders, even those eyeing sites near the historic core. "We are once again condemned to see our village unable to grow in housing," she said.

Poch called for a municipal urban planning scheme (POUM) tailored to rural realities, pointing out that the current 2013 rules are outdated. Updating it, however, would cost €100,000 and take four to five years—unfeasible for a small council.

Albert Puigvert, manager of the Association of Rural and Maritime Initiatives of Catalonia (ARCA), echoed the need for reform. He advocated a "more agile, effective, and faster" system to develop POUMs, describing regulatory flexibility as urgent.