According to data collected by idealista/data during 2020 concerning relative demand, 9.5% of people looking for a home on idealista, Spain's leading real estate website, came from other countries. 2020 saw a drop in foreign demand of almost 4 percentage points compared to 2019, something which is mainly due to the coronavirus crisis and the strict control measures for travel and passengers from other countries entering Spain. This is a factor which is delaying the decision of many people, nationals and foreigners, to buy or rent a home, but it has by no means put international buyers off in 2021. Buying property in Spain after COVID-19 remains a great option, with international buyers seeking sun and tranquillity away from big cities.
The United Kingdom, Germany and France lead the ranking of visits to homes in Spain from abroad. As usual, and despite the COVID-19 crisis, the provinces with the greatest interest from buyers of other nationalities are located along the Mediterranean coast and on both Spanish archipelagos.
The provinces with the greatest impact from potential foreign buyers were concentrated in Alicante (28.4%), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (26.2%), the Balearic Islands (25.6%), Malaga (22.2%) and Las Palmas (19.8%). On the other hand, in the inland provinces of the Iberian peninsula, the weight of house searches from abroad for the purchase or rental of a property barely exists, as can be seen in the demand data for Álava (2.2%), Zaragoza (2.6%), Valladolid (2.6%) and Guadalajara (2.9%). This demonstrates that regions on the coast continue to be the most popular with international buyers.
In the majority of provinces in Spain, the main search criteria from buyers from abroad is for properties located outside the large urban centres and cities, generally due to the fact that buyers are searching for sun and the beach, as well as good connections and services. In only 9 of these areas is the weight of international demand from abroad greater in the capital cities than in the rest of the province.
Spain's big capitals are still attractive for tourists
Coastal capitals such as Barcelona (14.4%), Valencia (14.8%), Cadiz (11.7%), together with San Sebastian and Bilbao receive a higher percentage of visits in the city than in the rest of the region. This is also the case in inland capitals such as Seville and Madrid, as well as in the popular historic cities of Segovia and Toledo.
On the other hand, the provincial capitals that have registered greatest interest from abroad follow the general trend, this time headed by Alicante (21.6%), Palma (18.2%), Malaga (15%), together with the aforementioned Valencia and Barcelona.
By nationality, searches from the United Kingdom top the list in 20 Spanish provinces, including some of the most popular areas for British expats in Spain such as Alicante, Malaga and Cadiz. This is followed by users visiting idealista from France, top in 12 provinces, leading the list in the provinces of Valencia, Barcelona, Tarragona and Girona, for example.
In third position are users based in the USA (top in 8 provinces), especially in provinces such as Madrid, Salamanca, Segovia and others in inland Spain. Also of note are searches from Germany (top in 6 provinces), with a higher level of interest in coastal provinces such as the Balearic Islands or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and other areas such as Toledo or Teruel.
The list of countries with the highest number of visits by foreigners in any province is completed by Portugal, leading in neighbouring regions such as Huelva, Pontevedra and Badajoz. Italy is also the country with the most visits to the Canary Islands province of Las Palmas.
Other nationalities that appear on the list with significant interest in looking for a house on idealista are buyers from Sweden, showing particular interest in Malaga, while Lleida is popular with buyers from Andorra and Lugo with Argentinians.
Methodology
To complete this study, we have taken the IP location from where the visits to idealista listings for sale or rent have been made as a reference. Therefore, it is not exclusively the nationality of the users but the country where the visitor is located. For example, there may be searches made by foreigners from Spain, or there may be Colombians or Venezuelans living in the U.S. and looking for a house to buy or rent on the Spanish coast.
Americans, Portuguese, Moroccans and Ukrainians buying more homes in Spain than ever
The latest data from Spanish notaries on property purchases by foreign buyers has revealed several records. Not only did foreigners pay the highest average price on record for properties during the first half of the year, but as many as seven nationalities also bought more homes than ever before on the Spanish market.
Buying in Spain? Key facts about the property market
If you're thinking about buying a home, it’s essential to understand the current state of the property market. Should you wait, or is now the time to buy? To help you decide, we analyse the key indicators: price trends per square metre, interest rates, the Euribor, transaction volume, mortgages, and available financial aid.
Urgent property sales in Spain
Buying property in Spain is a dream for many, but the process can sometimes be lengthy and costly. With the year drawing to a close, there’s no better time to secure your ideal home and potentially benefit from great deals before 2025 ends. Urgent property sales offer a fast, cost-effective way to find exceptional opportunities within days or weeks.
Spanish party Vox proposes higher taxes on foreigners to fund housing aid for Spaniards
Vox, a right-wing political party in Spain, has submitted a proposal to Congress to increase taxes on foreign property buyers. The money raised would be used to fund tax breaks for Spanish citizens and to support the construction of affordable housing.
Spain's most beautiful autumn destination, according to National Geographic
Spain is full of destinations to explore in autumn, when mountains and forests turn golden and nature’s magic feels more vivid than ever. It’s the perfect season to escape the summer crowds and immerse yourself in towns rich in history, culture and sample local fare.
American entrepreneur to revive abandoned Spanish village as tourist destination
Salto de Castro, a village in Zamora that has lain abandoned for more than 30 years, is set for a remarkable comeback thanks to American entrepreneur Jason Lee Beckwith. He has purchased the small border settlement with Portugal for €310,000 and plans to transform it into a tourist hub offering accommodation, dining, and leisure in a natural setting.
