The international homebuyer in Spain is evolving, with greater purchasing power and a growing interest in making the country their primary place of residence, rather than simply purchasing a second home, according to a report by Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios (UCI).
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One of the most significant shifts can be seen among foreign buyers who already live in Spain. In 2025, this group accounted for 11.6% of the residential market, compared with 7.2% for non-resident buyers, highlighting a growing trend towards purchases linked to long-term life plans and permanent residence.
In addition, foreign buyers paid an average of €2,479 per m2 in 2025, compared with €1,839 per square metre paid by domestic buyers, representing a difference of almost 35%. The average amount spent by international buyers reached €204,365, around 40% higher than in 2019.
The report also highlights the increasing diversification of international demand. Alongside the traditional leading nationalities among non-resident buyers, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Morocco, there is also notable activity from buyers from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Sweden and Poland. Purchasing patterns vary considerably by nationality, affecting everything from the type of property acquired and the amount spent to financing methods and preferred locations.
According to the report, Swedish, American, German and Swiss buyers are among those paying the highest average prices per square metre. It also notes that foreign demand has a particularly strong influence in areas with a large international population.
The Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and Andalusia continue to attract a significant share of international purchases. However, the study also identifies a growing interest in emerging residential destinations, including parts of northern Spain, driven by factors such as quality of life, improved connectivity, remote working opportunities and the search for less crowded environments.
UCI concludes that international demand has become a structural component of Spain's residential property market, with an increasingly diverse buyer profile that is more closely linked to permanent residence. This trend is prompting both the real estate and financial sectors to develop more specialised advisory services and financing solutions.
