Spain’s most accessible property segment cooled in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from idealista.
Homes priced up to €210,000 recorded a 3% drop in demand nationwide, measured by contacts received per listing.
While the decline at the national level was relatively modest, the picture in several major cities was more pronounced. The data suggests that even the lower end of the market, traditionally associated with first-time buyers and budget-conscious purchasers, is no longer insulated from wider shifts in demand.
Major cities with the sharpest declines
Among Spain’s larger markets, demand for homes under €210,000 fell across most of the key urban and coastal hubs.
- Alicante: −24%
- Valencia: −24%
- Sevilla: −22%
- Barcelona: −21%
- Madrid: −18%
- Málaga: −14%
Where affordable demand is still rising
Despite the broader slowdown, some cities recorded strong increases in demand for homes priced up to €210,000.
The sharpest rises were seen in smaller provincial capitals. Three cities posted the largest percentage gains nationwide in the most affordable bracket.
- In Zamora, demand surged by 132%, while Palencia recorded a 70% increase and Soria saw growth of 65%.
Among larger markets, growth was more limited but still present in a handful of locations.
Overall, the strongest percentage growth was concentrated in smaller provincial capitals, although a small number of bigger cities also moved against the national trend.
Madrid and Barcelona: affordable demand under pressure
The cooling in Spain’s two largest property markets was not limited to the lowest price bracket.
In Madrid, demand fell by 18% for homes priced up to €210,000. The decline was even steeper in higher segments, dropping by 27% in the €210,000–€360,000 range and by 26% for properties priced between €360,000 and €600,000.
In Barcelona, the pattern was similar at the lower and lower-mid ranges. Demand for homes up to €210,000 decreased by 21%, while properties in the €210,000–€360,000 bracket recorded a 17% fall.
The figures indicate that the slowdown in these cities extends beyond the cheapest homes and into mid-range segments, pointing to a broader cooling rather than a shift confined to entry-level properties.
- Explore property for sale in Spain
Stay in the know about living in Spain as a foreigner—get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.
