The Profile of the Foreign Real Estate Investor in Spain
Last Updated on 24 October 2025 by Equipo Urbanitae
In recent years, the real estate market in Spain has undergone a profound transformation. Combined with the post-pandemic recovery, macroeconomic stability, and pressure from international demand, this has positioned Spain as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for foreign real estate investment. These developments have created a scenario in which the presence of foreign investors continues to grow steadily, consolidating their role as key players in the development of traditional coastal areas and major cities. To delve deeper into this trend, Urbanitae shares the insights of Sergio Gutiérrez, a real estate sector expert, who provides guidance on key market issues.
Sergio Gutiérrez explains that “we have seen a profound change in the profile of the international buyer. On one hand, high-net-worth Latin American buyers have gained significant prominence, especially in Madrid, where the Salamanca neighborhood has become a benchmark enclave for families and entrepreneurs from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina. Many of them seek legal stability, a property in the European Union, and a secure investment for their wealth.” He adds, “Spain continues to be the gateway to Europe for many international investors. Despite rising prices, Spain’s major cities remain more affordable than Paris, London, or Milan, offering a much higher quality of life in terms of climate, gastronomy, and services.”
Factors Driving International Buyer Interest
Analyzing the evolution of foreign property purchases in Spain, it is observed that between 2019 and 2024, growth has been sustained and significantly higher than that of domestic buyers. While transactions by Spanish residents increased by 17.7%, foreign investors’ transactions grew by 30.7%, reaching a total of 125,857 homes sold by the third quarter of 2024, representing 18.4% of total sales, according to CaixaBank Research. This percentage reflects not only the strength of foreign interest but also the capacity of this segment to influence price dynamics and housing availability across different provinces due to their high purchasing power.
Sergio Gutiérrez notes, “The international buyer, especially those with high budgets, seeks spacious properties in prime locations, with quality finishes, ready to move in, avoiding renovations. They also prioritize buildings with premium services such as concierge, gyms, or communal areas and look for opportunities to generate rental income through long-term leases or professional management.” On the other hand, he points out that “buyers with more limited budgets tend to focus on properties with appreciation potential, in emerging urban areas or with good access to public transport and services.”
It is also important to differentiate between foreign residents and non-residents. While the former purchase properties with the intention of permanent residence, contributing to local life and the dynamism of the residential market, the latter mainly buy for investment purposes or as a second home, bringing variety and flexibility to the market.
Differences are also seen in the average price per square meter of properties purchased: non-residents acquire higher-priced properties per square meter (€2,895/m² in H1 2024) compared to residents (€1,734/m²) and nationals (€1,659/m²), according to the same bank report.
Differences in Buyer Profile: From Retirees to Young Entrepreneurs
Traditionally, the foreign real estate investor in Spain was associated with European retirees seeking second-hand homes on the coast, attracted by the climate and tranquility. However, the current landscape shows a substantial evolution in terms of age, motivations, and participation forms. While in 2007 foreigners represented only 7.5% of total transactions, by 2024 this proportion rose to 20.9%, reflecting growing weight not only in sales volume but also in price pressure.
Gutiérrez explains, “The traditional European buyer, from the UK, Germany, France, or the Netherlands, maintains interest in the Mediterranean coast and islands, although a greater diversification toward inland and northern cities is being detected.” He also indicates that “African buyers, especially from Morocco and West African countries, are accessing more affordable properties, seeking both residence and medium-term investment.” Additionally, he highlights the emergence of a younger, professional foreign profile, composed of international entrepreneurs, remote workers, and digital nomads, interested in connectivity, urban services, and proximity to strategic hubs.
These data coincide with those from the General Council of Notaries, which in its latest statement points out that in the second half of this year, the foreign buyers who acquired the most properties in Spain were again the British, with 8.7% of total transactions (6,048 homes), closely followed by Moroccans (7.3%) and Germans (6.7%).
Areas Most Attractive to Foreign Investors
International interest is not evenly distributed across Spain, concentrating especially in provinces on the Mediterranean coast, the islands, and major cities, where foreign participation often exceeds 30% of property transactions, as in Alicante (33.2%) or the Balearic Islands (31.5%), approaching Málaga (27.1%) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (25.8%), according to Idealista data for Q2 2025. Meanwhile, in cities like Valencia (12.8%), Barcelona (9.5%), and Madrid (4.6%), participation is lower percentage-wise but significant in absolute terms due to transaction volume.
Sergio Gutiérrez comments, “In the medium term, we will see foreign buyer interest expand to northern Spain, including Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, or the Basque Country, where the climate is milder and prices still offer upward potential. Climate change and extreme heat waves in the south will make these destinations increasingly attractive.” He also notes, “The international buyer will tend to avoid saturated areas, seeking exclusivity, privacy, and added value in less crowded locations, which will force the sector to reconfigure its offerings.”
Opportunities for Small and Medium Investors Through Real Estate Crowdfunding
The phenomenon of foreign investment and pressure on certain markets has created fertile ground for real estate crowdfunding, which democratizes access to residential investment projects historically reserved for large funds or high-net-worth international buyers. It allows small and medium investors to participate directly in international investments, diversify exposure, manage risks, and access potentially higher returns than traditional fixed-income or equity funds.
Platforms like Urbanitae provide access to strategic projects in the most demanded areas for international investors, from developments on the Mediterranean coast and the Balearics to opportunities in consolidated urban environments, combining transparency, detailed project analysis, and risk control with the possibility of investing relatively small amounts.
