Spain’s higher education sector is expanding and becoming increasingly international. In 2022/23, the country welcomed approximately 1.5 million students, including a rapidly growing international cohort. Yet this growth is outpacing housing supply. Spain faces a significant and widening shortage of high-quality, accessible student accommodation, with projections indicating that over 280,000 additional student beds may be required by 2030. This imbalance underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to protect student wellbeing, support academic success, and safeguard Spain’s competitiveness as a global study destination.

The programme will feature four data-led insight sessions covering investment, legal and fiscal frameworks, higher education trends, and social impact, alongside an industry workshop and panel discussion where stakeholders will work together to identify shared challenges and co-create solutions. These sessions will be complemented by site tours of best-in-class student residences and curated networking opportunities.

Following the workshop, attendees will be presented with key findings from the 2023-25 European Student Living Monitor, with a dedicated focus on Spain. Drawing on insights from more than 2,700 student responses, the research highlights Spain as one of the top three countries in Europe for student happiness, while also identifying affordability pressures and uneven housing quality as critical risks; particularly in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.