Linea Directa is to introduce Spain’s first insurance product specifically designed to combat the growing problem of squatting in vacant homes.

Known as ‘anti-okupación’ home insurance, the coverage aims to protect homeowners from the increasing phenomenon of squatters taking over unoccupied properties in Spain. It will be the ‘first complete insurance’ against illegal squatting in Spain, offering ‘total protection’.

In 2022 alone, there were approximately 16,700 complaints about squatters, referred to as ‘okupas’ in Spanish, which translates to an alarming average of 45 cases reported every day. Linea Directa says that it recognises the urgency of addressing this issue and has developed comprehensive coverage to address the various challenges homeowners face when dealing with squatters.

The insurance coverage will encompass a range of aspects, including loss of income, alternative accommodation for the property owner, essential supplies, property damages, and legal expenses. This last component is particularly crucial as removing squatters from a property in Spain can be a protracted and complex legal process.

According to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) in Spain, it typically takes up to 18 months to successfully evict squatters from a property, even if the owner has rightful legal ownership. In 2021, the average waiting period for property owners was 18.1 months, according to official data. The Victims of Occupation Platform, a homeowners group, estimates that approximately 100,000 properties across Spain are affected by illegal occupation.