Military arrivals in Fuerteventura still lack housing
ATME alerts about the lack of housing for newly assigned soldiers in Fuerteventura
The Spanish Troops and Sailors Association (ATME) has sent a formal letter to the Defence Under‑Secretary expressing deep concern over the serious housing problems that will affect newly assigned personnel of the Infantry Regiment “Soria” No. 9, stationed at the Puerto del Rosario garrison on Fuerteventura.
According to information received by the association, “there is no logistical accommodation available, having denied several submitted requests,” leaving the new soldiers without a basic, protected place to live.
ATME points out that newly posted personnel do not receive any housing assistance, which critically worsens the situation. The lack of accommodation not only hampers proper integration but also threatens the soldiers’ economic stability and professional performance during the first years of service—a particularly sensitive stage in a military career, as reported by Navarra Información.
The association also notes that, in January 2025, it had already requested information on waiting lists for logistical barracks, and at that time the Puerto del Rosario garrison was not listed among facilities with a shortage of places. This sudden, unexplained change, ATME argues, reveals a lack of planning and foresight that must be clarified urgently. Consequently, the association deems it essential to understand the origin and evolution of the problem, as well as the measures planned to ensure that no soldier is left without shelter.
ATME has formally requested information on the causes of the current deficit and on any actions underway or under study to provide a temporary or permanent solution for the affected personnel, reminding that the responsibility for guaranteeing decent living conditions rests directly with the Ministry of Defence.
The association expresses its utmost concern about a situation that, as it has repeatedly highlighted, is becoming a chronic and structural issue within the Armed Forces. ATME insists that decent housing is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the quality of life and stability of troops and sailors. It is unacceptable that, at a time when the defence budget has already exceeded 2 % of GDP—as recently announced by the minister—priority is given almost exclusively to the purchase of new equipment while basic problems that directly affect military personnel are neglected.
ATME considers it imperative that the Defence Ministry stop looking away and adopt urgent, concrete, and structural measures to prevent soldiers from being forced to incur unaffordable expenses or face precarious conditions upon arrival at their posts. The association will continue to publicly denounce these deficiencies until a dignified and fair treatment is guaranteed for those who serve in the Armed Forces.