What if your next flight out of Spain began with the unsettling sight of people living in the airport you’re about to board from?
That’s the reality for travelers passing through some of Spain’s busiest airports, where terminals have slowly turned into long-term shelters for hundreds of homeless people.
It’s a side of travel hubs most tourists never see—but it’s one that’s sparking concern, compassion, and calls for urgent action.
A Hidden City Inside Madrid-Barajas Airport
At Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, a so-called “hidden city” has been growing for years—nearly a decade, in fact.
Around 400 people are now believed to be living rough inside the airport, many of them taking shelter in Terminal 4.
Recently, new images captured by MailOnline revealed the extent of the issue, showing people lying on mattresses in hallways, sleeping beside toilets, or even inside elevators.
One eerie video shows an elevator door sliding open to reveal a man curled up in a makeshift bed.
Another image shows a person camped out with a dog and a cardboard sign reading: “Help me please.”
Violence, Theft, and Insect Infestations
For those forced to live inside the terminals, life is far from safe.
In interviews with Spanish media, several residents have spoken out about theft, violence, and the constant fear they live with.
Seventy-year-old Christian Velez, a French national who says he’s been staying at the airport for seven years, described the environment as dangerous.
“Recently, someone stole my suitcase and everything I owned,” he said. “You have to sleep with one eye open.”
And it’s not just crime that’s a concern. Reports have emerged of cockroach and bed bug infestations.
Staff have shared images of painful insect bites on their arms.
The state-owned airport operator Aena was even forced to fumigate areas of the airport earlier this month after a potential bed bug outbreak.
Travelers Restricted as Authorities Try to Take Back Control
Faced with growing concerns and negative media coverage, Aena announced new security measures.
Starting this week, Madrid-Barajas will restrict access from 9 p.m.
Only passengers with a valid boarding pass, airport employees, or individuals escorting ticketed travelers will be allowed entry during these hours.
Madrid-Barajas isn’t just any airport—it’s the largest in Spain, serving over 65 million passengers annually, including hundreds of thousands of British tourists.
But now, it’s also home to people who have nowhere else to go.
Personal Stories from Spain’s Airport Homeless
Among the many stories is that of a former DJ who’s been living at the airport for almost three years.
Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Antena 3, he painted a grim picture of day-to-day life.
“It’s like being a wild animal,” he said. “You stop feeling fear because crime and violence become routine.
I’ve been assaulted. I’ve been robbed. Survival becomes your full-time job.”
Another man named Fernando, originally from Peru, shared his experience with MailOnline.
After losing his job as a removal worker, he could no longer afford rent and found himself living at Terminal 4.
“There are people who will rob you while you sleep,” he said. “You have to be careful, especially around 3 a.m.”
He emphasized that not everyone in the terminal is causing trouble. “We’re not all bad,” he explained.
“There’s a small group of calm South Americans who look out for each other.
But yes, there are some who get drunk, pee where they sleep, and make it worse for the rest of us.”
Crime, Drugs, and Makeshift Weapons
Spanish media has reported that some of the airport’s occupants carry knives, machetes, or even makeshift weapons.
Drug use is allegedly widespread, with crack and other substances being used openly.
Prostitution has also reportedly become a part of the terminal’s underbelly.
Police officers patrol regularly, checking IDs and removing people with criminal records.
According to Fernando, officers show up every three or four days.
“They try to keep it under control,” he said, “but there’s only so much they can do.”
A Safer Alternative to the Streets?
Despite the challenges, many still view the airport as a safer option than sleeping rough outside.
“The airport saves lives,” said Fernando. “It’s not perfect, but it offers shelter and some level of security.”
People from all over the world have found themselves living in these terminals—from those wearing U.S. Army uniforms to others shouting incoherently in English.
One Spanish man seen at the airport was covered in insect bites, likely from bed bugs.
Airport Security Stretched Thin
Security teams and airport staff are under growing pressure.
At night, National Police officers patrol on Segways, wearing face masks as they navigate the corridors of Terminal 4.
In one incident, a clearly intoxicated man was seen shoving a security guard before being escorted back to his sleeping spot.
Security workers privately admitted to reporters that the situation is far worse than what’s been publicly disclosed.
“If we could speak freely,” one said, “boy, we could tell you some things.”
The Crisis Is Spreading Beyond Madrid
This isn’t just a Madrid problem. Similar issues are being reported at other major Spanish airports, including Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
At Malaga airport, staff have allegedly been bitten by fleas and bed bugs—though authorities have denied the claims.
Employees say they’ve even seen insects crawling up the terminal walls.
Workers now say they apply insect repellent before coming to work.
The CCOO union has been vocal about the growing health risks, publicly criticizing the government’s inaction and lack of support.
Political Finger-Pointing Delays Real Solutions
For months, local and national officials have been caught in a blame game.
Madrid’s city council recently asked the national government to take charge and rehabilitate the people living in airports, but efforts have stalled.
A planned meeting between city, regional, and national officials was reportedly canceled after ministries declined to participate.
Aena, the state-owned company that operates the airports, fired back, accusing Madrid’s city authorities of neglect.
In response, the city said its social services had helped nearly 100 individuals in April—12 of whom were moved into shelters or treatment programs.
What Happens Next?
For now, there is no clear solution in sight. While limited steps are being taken to manage the situation—like restricting access and performing health interventions—the growing number of homeless residents in Spain’s airports highlights a much deeper issue.
Until officials agree on a coordinated plan, Spain’s airports will remain more than just transit points.
For many, they have become a place to survive—and that reality is impossible to ignore any longer.