Any future policy inspired by Amsterdam’s approach would likely require sustained investment in affordable housing. Photo credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Spain’s worsening housing crisis has prompted government and regional authorities to explore international models, including what is being referred to as the “modelo Ámsterdam,” an approach to housing regulation and planning used in the Dutch capital. The model’s mix of public intervention, rent regulation and management of urban land has attracted attention as authorities seek ways to relieve pressure on rents, increase affordable supply and curb speculative investment.
Driven by record rental prices, limited availability of affordable homes and sustained demand in urban centres, policymakers at both national and autonomous community levels are studying how elements of Amsterdam’s approach might be adapted for Spain’s distinctive market.
Core elements of the Amsterdam model
Combination of public housing, price controls and land strategy
Unlike single-policy solutions, the so-called Amsterdam model is a composite of several interlocking measures that together aim to stabilise the housing market.
A central pillar of the Dutch system is the significant role played by public and semi-public housing. In Amsterdam, a large share of the residential stock is owned by cooperatives or entities with strong public involvement, reducing dependence on purely private markets and providing more stable, lower-cost options for residents.
Another key component is rent price regulation. In the Dutch capital, a detailed scoring system determines the maximum legal rent for a property based on factors such as size, energy efficiency and location. Properties that do not meet a threshold score cannot be rented above certain limits, helping contain excessive rent increases and giving tenants greater predictability.
A further distinctive feature is the management of urban land by the municipality. Amsterdam retains ownership of much of its urban land and offers it for development on long-term concession rather than outright sale. This gives the city greater control over land use and helps ensure that new residential projects include mandatory shares of affordable housing and limit purely speculative development.
Why Spain is considering the approach
Severe market imbalances prompt search for solutions
Spain’s housing market has been under intense strain for years. Rising rents in major cities, a shortage of affordable housing stock and growing costs have made access to stable, reasonably priced homes increasingly difficult for many residents. Major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are repeatedly cited in research and reports as being among Europe’s most expensive in terms of the proportion of income devoted to housing.
The model from Amsterdam has attracted interest because it tackles both speculation and market imbalance through a mix of regulation, public presence and incentives for cooperative or social housing. Some Spanish authorities see these elements as potentially useful tools to complement domestic policies already in place.
Measures under consideration include expanding the public housing stock, strengthening cooperation with housing cooperatives, and limiting rent prices in zones deemed under major pressure. These discussions reflect a broader recognition among policymakers that incremental reforms may not be sufficient to bridge the gap between supply and demand in strained urban markets.
Criticism and challenges
Experts warn model is not a cure-all for structural issues
Despite its appeal, experts caution that the Amsterdam model is not a perfect solution and comes with trade-offs that must be understood before any widespread implementation.
One criticism is that heavy regulation can sometimes deter private supply. In Amsterdam itself, where strict rent caps and ownership conditions exist, there are still significant waiting lists for regulated housing, and availability remains a challenge for many residents.
Urban planners and economists emphasise that regulating prices or restricting speculative purchases alone does not automatically increase the overall housing supply. With Spain’s historically low levels of public housing and high demand, simply transplanting foreign mechanisms without addressing local structural constraints, such as zoning, construction pipelines and land availability, may not solve the crisis on its own.
Adapting to the Spanish context
Need for careful tailoring and long-term planning
Experts argue that for any adaptation of the Amsterdam model to succeed in Spain, it will need careful tailoring to local conditions. Spain’s housing market is structurally different from the Netherlands’, with higher rates of owner occupation and a smaller existing stock of public housing.
Any future policy inspired by Amsterdam’s approach would likely require sustained investment in affordable housing, stronger regulatory frameworks that balance incentives with supply growth, and coordinated efforts between national, regional and municipal governments.
Urban economists also note that without increasing the total housing supply, particularly in high-demand areas, strategies focused solely on price controls or ownership conditions may shift pressures rather than resolve them.
What the model entails and why Spain is looking at it
- The “modelo Ámsterdam” combines public housing provision, rent regulation and municipal land control.
- Amsterdam’s system sees around 40% of homes owned or managed by cooperatives or public entities.
- Spain is considering elements of the model to address steep rent rises and limited affordable supply.
- Critics warn regulation alone does not guarantee increased housing availability.
- Adapting the model will require long-term planning and structural investment.
Facing a complex housing challenge
Borrowing ideas, not copying policies
As Spanish authorities explore the so-called “modelo Ámsterdam,” they are not simply looking to copy a foreign system wholesale. Instead, they are examining specific mechanisms that might be adapted to Spain’s own housing landscape, which differs in structure, history and ownership patterns from the Netherlands.
Policy analysts say that while Amsterdam’s experience offers valuable lessons about public engagement and market regulation, any successful strategy in Spain will need to account for its unique challenges, including limited social housing, high demand, historic patterns of home ownership, and deeply embedded regional and local planning systems.
In the end, the value of the Amsterdam approach lies less in its specific rules and more in the broader philosophy of active public engagement, balanced regulation and long-term planning to ensure housing is accessible and sustainable for residents across the country.