The rental market in Spain is also attracting significant interest from international home seekers. In provinces such as Alicante, the Balearic Islands and Málaga, around a quarter of all searches for rental properties come from abroad, according to idealista. In some towns and cities, international demand even exceeds domestic demand, particularly in tourist destinations such as Andratx (60%) and Calvià (52%) in the Balearic Islands, as well as Calpe (53%) and Moraira (52%) in Alicante. These figures reflect the strength of foreign demand for rental housing in Spain during the first quarter of 2026.
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The most popular provinces among foreign renters
When it comes to residential rentals, Alicante and the Balearic Islands lead the provincial ranking, with international demand accounting for 26% of all rental searches in both markets. Málaga follows closely behind with 24%, reinforcing the Costa del Sol's position as one of Spain's most attractive destinations for overseas renters, according to idealista/data.
Each of these provinces is driven by different international markets. Demand is led by the Netherlands in Alicante, Germany in the Balearic Islands and the United Kingdom in Málaga, while countries such as the United States and Italy also feature prominently among the main sources of interest.
Next comes Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where international demand accounts for 19% of rental searches, highlighting the Canary Islands' appeal among Europeans seeking a favourable climate and high quality of life. It is followed by Las Palmas with 17%. However, Valencia stands out with 18%, reflecting the sharp growth in international interest in the city and its surrounding areas.
In both Canary Island provinces, German demand dominates, ahead of interest from Italy and the UK. In Valencia, meanwhile, demand from the United States is particularly notable, alongside Germany and France.
The provinces of Almería (17%) and Girona (15%) confirm that international demand is no longer concentrated solely in provincial capitals, but is increasingly extending to tourist destinations with strong international appeal. The ranking continues along much of the Mediterranean coast, including Barcelona (14%), Granada and Cádiz (both 13%), and the group formed by Huelva, Castellón, Tarragona and Murcia (all 12%).
The list of provinces where international demand exceeds 10% also includes two locations that fall outside the typical sun-and-sand profile: Jaén and Badajoz, both at 11%. This is particularly striking for inland provinces and places them ahead of larger markets such as Madrid (9%) and Seville (8%).
French demand is strongest in provinces close to the French border, as well as in Murcia. Demand from the United States is especially significant in Granada, while Portuguese renters are particularly active in Huelva, Badajoz and Jaén. Markets such as Brazil and Morocco also feature among the main international sources of demand.
The towns where international demand is particularly strong
While the provincial figures are notable, municipal data is even more striking. In some Spanish towns, more than half of all rental demand comes from international renters, according to idealista/data's analysis of first-quarter data.
Andratx, in Mallorca, tops the ranking with 60% of rental demand originating abroad, meaning that almost six in every ten searches come from outside Spain. Calpe and Moraira, both in Alicante province, exceed the 50% threshold with 53% and 52% respectively, while Calvià, also in Mallorca, reaches 52%.
Among these highly sought-after tourist destinations, German demand is particularly strong in the Mallorcan towns, while Dutch demand dominates in Moraira, alongside significant interest from British, Swiss and Austrian renters.
Completing this select group are Nerja in Málaga province and Mogán in Gran Canaria, where international demand accounts for 50% of rental searches. The dominant countries of origin in these locations are the United States and Norway, respectively.
Several Canary Island towns also feature prominently, including San Bartolomé de Tirajana (48%) in Gran Canaria, and Arona (47%) and Adeje (45%) in Tenerife. These figures reinforce the Canary Islands' strong international profile in the rental market. In contrast to the stronger British and German presence elsewhere, demand here is more diverse, with significant interest from Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.
On the mainland, several towns along the Mediterranean coast stand out, including Almuñécar (45%) and Salobreña (43%) on the Granada coast; Mojácar (38%) and Vera (37%) in Almería; Cartagena (31%) and Los Alcázares (30%) in Murcia; Oliva (33%) in Valencia; Peñíscola (31%) in Castellón; and Sitges (30%) in Barcelona. Ayamonte (45%), on the Atlantic coast, is another notable example.
Together, these municipalities illustrate how international demand has evolved from a secondary market force into a key component of local rental activity.
Which provincial capitals attract the most foreign demand?
The analysis of provincial capitals adds further nuance to the national picture. The city of Alicante also leads among provincial capitals, with international demand accounting for 25% of rental searches. Although this is one percentage point below the provincial average, it exceeds the proportion recorded in the sales market, where foreign demand stood at 22% in March. The main international sources of demand are the United States, Germany and Brazil.
Valencia stands out with 24% international demand, exceeding the provincial average. The most active markets are the United States, Italy and Germany. This figure is higher than those recorded in Mediterranean cities with a longer-established tourism profile, such as Palma and Málaga, both of which stand at 20%.
In Palma and Málaga, foreign demand remains highly significant, with Germany, the United States, Argentina, Italy and France among the main countries of origin.
Barcelona records 18% international demand, a substantial figure for a city of its size, despite being lower than the provincial average. France, Italy and the United States account for much of this demand. Girona (15%), Cádiz (15%) and Tarragona (14%) complete the group of capitals with the highest relative levels of international interest.
Still above the 10% threshold are Almería and Granada (13%), together with Badajoz, Castellón de la Plana and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, each registering between 10% and 11% foreign demand.
Finally, Madrid stands out with 11% international demand, a notable figure given the size of its rental market. The most active foreign markets in the capital are the United States, France and Italy.
San Sebastián closes the ranking with 10%, where demand is led by the United States, France and Germany. These figures reinforce the idea that the internationalisation of Spain's rental market is not limited to major tourist destinations, but is increasingly visible across a wide range of locations.
