Industry Update: Housing Policies, Workforce Trends, and Infrastructure Developments

Spain to Ban Non-EU Purchasers of Homes

The Spanish government announced this week that they would move to consider a ban on foreign purchasing of homes in order to combat rising housing prices.

In the announcement Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez mentioned that the government would deter the purchase of homes by those outside the European Union (EU) by implementing a 100pc tax on the full price of a home.

“For non-resident non-EU nationals the tax burden will be up to 100pc the property’s value,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said when announcing the proposal.

In the statement Sánchez highlighted the scale of purchase of homes by investment funds and speculators which he said has led to an increase in the price of homes:

In 2023 alone non-residents from outside the EU purchased 27,000 houses and flats, not to live in them because mainly they bought them to speculate, to earn money with them, which is something that in the context of the problems many people are experiencing is something we can’t permit.

Among other moves considered by the Socialist-led government, which consists of the parties PSOE and Sumar, includes the transfer of over 30,000 homes by the country’s ‘bad bank’ over to a Public Housing Company. This is on top of the handing over of more than 3,000 homes and close to 2 million sqm of land zoned for residential housing to the same company.

Recently, Madrid tackled foreign home purchasing through the abolishment of the “golden visa” scheme which granted residency to those who purchased a property worth over €500,000 with 5,000 people availing of this scheme since it opened in 2013.


Belgium to move to part time working for moving industry

The Belgian moving association has reported a massive shift from permanent to temporary working the country’s moving industry.

In a press release from BKV/CBD, the group reported that staff in the moving sector fell from 2,344 employees in 2023 to 2,027 last year - drop of around 14pc.

Meanwhile, the number of temporary workers rose from 1,322 to 1,865 in the same period - a 40pc increase.

In the statement BKV/CBD mentioned that the increase in temporary workers reflects the changing needs within the transport and logistics sector, including greater demand for flexible working.


EU to adopt common charger

The European Union (EU) has standardised charging ports for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices with all new devices sold in the bloc now required to support USB-C charging.

It is estimated that the move will reduce as over 10,000 tonnes of e-waste is attributed to discarded chargers. Consumer are set to save around €250m per year as consumers will be able to buy electronic devices without chargers at a lower cost.

The EU's Common Charger Directive was approved by the Council of the EU in October 2022. Manufacturers were provided a transition period to adjust their designs and ensure compliance. From late December of the last year, the rules apply to mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems and ear buds sold in the EU. From the end of the April Thai year they will apply to laptops.


New Road Tunnel to Open in London

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the new Silvertown Tunnel will open on 7April, 2025. The new tunnel, close to the existing Blackwall Tunnel, is expected to increase capacity in the area by up to 30,000 vehicles a day.

TfL will impose a toll on both tunnels to cover the costs. HGVs will be charged up to £10 per crossing depending on the time of day.