Spain mulls raising mortgage relief threshold

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has unveiled plans to raise the income ceiling for mortgage relief as a proactive measure to counter the economic downturn and prepare for an anticipated recovery in 2024. This decision comes in response to the challenges faced by homeowners with variable rate loans, who are grappling with increasing interest rates.

Amid the current economic landscape, the Spanish government is reassessing its support measures for homeowners. Average mortgage rates have climbed to 3.84%, prompting Spanish banks to continue offering assistance under the existing code of good practice to households earning below certain thresholds. Despite the availability of this support, there has been a low uptake of mortgage relief, with only 42,000 out of over one million eligible households taking advantage of the program. This phenomenon is attributed to a surprisingly stable labor market, even with Spain’s high rate of homeownership.

Prime Minister Sanchez’s announcement, made at a financial event in Madrid, underscores the government’s proactive stance in addressing the financial strain on households caused by variable interest rates. The decision to increase the mortgage relief income ceiling aims to extend support to more homeowners navigating through challenging economic times.

The planned change is part of a broader strategy to bolster Spain’s economy and assist those affected by the current downturn, while laying the groundwork for recovery in the coming year. The government’s initiative is geared toward providing much-needed relief and stability for Spanish families facing financial hardship due to the rising costs of mortgages.