The purchase of second homes by foreigners, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, continues to rise, with a significant number of buyers choosing Catalonia for its prime location. Middle-aged business professionals from France and the UK are typically the key demographics for property purchases in the region.
Recent data from the Spanish College of Registrars indicates a slight decrease in the proportion of foreign demand for housing in the last quarter, despite an increase in absolute numbers. The leading nationalities among buyers are British (8.57%), German (6.67%), Dutch (5.91%), Moroccan (5.30%), French (5.28%), Romanian (5.17%) and Italian (4.76%).
According to UCI, 84.5% of mortgages granted to foreigners in 2024 were for the purchase of a second home. These properties have an average value of €308,000, with financing covering 57.2% of the purchase price. This is significantly lower than the usual 80% granted for primary residences and 70% for second homes.
Dylan Leworthy, regional director of UCI, notes that while there has been a slight decrease in the number of homes purchased by foreigners in Catalonia compared to previous years, the region remains one of the most sought-after in Spain. It ranks fourth, behind Andalusia (35.3%), the Valencian Community (28.7%) and the Canary Islands (10.9%).
Executives and business owners
The expert explains that, in general, the profile of foreign buyers in Catalonia closely mirrors that of the rest of Spain. They are typically executives and business owners around 45 years old, holding middle or senior management positions.
"According to our data, 32.4% of these buyers are mid-level executives, 24% are business owners, 8.2% are self-employed and 6.4% are senior executives," the expert adds.
Destinations: Costa Brava and Costa Dorada
Thanks to the favourable climate and beautiful surroundings, foreign buyers in Catalonia often focus on coastal properties. They are drawn to the Mediterranean coastline, particularly to well-connected tourist destinations with appealing property options. As a result, the most sought-after areas include the Costa Brava, with towns such as Lloret de Mar and Begur, as well as the Costa Dorada, with towns like Sitges and Cambrils.
And, of course, Barcelona also remains a point of interest, especially for investors and buyers looking for high-end urban residences.
Holiday home
Unlike the majority of nationals, who typically purchase primary residences, foreign buyers in Catalonia tend to favour second homes, often for holiday use. According to the expert, 84.5% of the mortgages granted to foreign buyers in 2024 were for second homes, with an average value of €308,000. These properties are generally located in areas with excellent infrastructure, access to amenities and proximity to the beach.
The French are betting on Catalonia
Dylan Leworthy highlights that French buyers lead the sales, followed by the British – two nationalities that have traditionally been the most prominent in the region. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in American and Dutch buyers in the past year.
Foreign purchases are on the rise
Looking ahead to 2025, UCI expects foreign demand to remain stable, with potential slight growth, particularly from buyers in strong economies with good connectivity to the region.
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