Foreign home buyers are a significant part of the Spanish real estate market. In effect, in the second quarter of 2024, they accounted for 14.84% of purchase transactions, 0.63% more than in the previous quarter.
That is one of the data collected in the Real Estate Registry Statistics Report of the College of Registrars. We analyze other significant aspects regarding foreign home buyers below.
Nationality of foreign home buyers in Spain
The British continue to occupy the first place among foreign home buyers. However, they have lost some significance compared to previous quarters. Following the British are the Germans, Moroccans, Romanians and French. The following is the ranking of origin of buyers by nationality:
| Nationality | Percentage of total foreign buyers | Number of homes purchased |
| United Kingdom | 8.35 % | 1,798 |
| Germany | 6.98 % | 1,499 |
| Morocco | 6.10 % | 1,310 |
| Romania | 5.31 % | 1,141 |
| France | 5.18 % | 1,121 |
| Italy | 5.18 % | 1,112 |
| The Netherlands | 5.14 % | 1,104 |
Below them are foreign home buyers from Belgium, Poland and Ukraine, although this figure is below 5%.
Which areas do foreign home buyers prefer?
The Balearic Islands are the most popular among foreign home buyers, accounting for 33.27% of all transactions. Close behind are the Canary Islands (31.11% of home purchases), the Valencian Community (28.78%), the Region of Murcia (23.58%) and Catalonia (16.11%).
If we talk about provinces, there are slight changes:
• Alicante is the preferred one, representing 43.52% of sales.
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the second option, with 37.2%.
• The Balearic Islands are the third, with 33.37%.
• Malaga is in fourth place: 30.81%
• They are followed by Girona (26.24%), Las Palmas (25.59%), Murcia (23.58%) and Almería (20.65%).
• Provinces such as Tarragona, Castellón, Barcelona and Valencia are well below 20%.
Home buying preferences by nationality
According to the College of Registrars report, location preferences vary according to nationality.
• The British prefer Andalusia, the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands, as are the Germans, who also include the Balearic Islands among their main preferences.
• Buyers from Morocco, on the other hand, are inclined towards those peninsular communities bathed by the Mediterranean, followed by Castilla-La Mancha.
• French and Italians focus their preferences on Catalonia and the Valencian Community, as do Romanian citizens, although the latter also choose Madrid.
In brief, the report provides two main conclusions. Firstly, foreign home buyers are a driving force in the Spanish housing market. Secondly, they have a clear preference for the islands and the Mediterranean coast, that is, for houses near the beach.
In addition, we can find a wide property offer in those areas that arouse the highest interest. Finally, if you have considered buying a property as your permanent residence or second home, go to Spainhouses.netto start your search. Wait no more!