Ibiza harbour at dusk — one of Spain’s most sought-after locations for non-resident property buyers, where prices consistently outpace the national average.
Foreign Buyers Spain: Still a Major Force, Despite a Slowdown
Foreign interest in Spanish property has not evaporated — it has matured. The post-pandemic surge that peaked in early 2022 has given way to a more measured pace, but the numbers remain substantial. According to the Consejo General del Notariado, H2 2025 recorded 66,629 transactions involving foreign buyers — representing 18.4% of all property sales across Spain.
That share is down from 19.5% a year earlier and 20.9% in 2023, but it still means roughly one in five Spanish properties sold is going to an international buyer. The current figures reflect normalisation, not retreat — and the underlying demand drivers (lifestyle, climate, relatively competitive prices versus Northern Europe) remain firmly in place.
Calpe’s Arenal Bol beach with the iconic Peñón de Ifach — the Costa Blanca remains one of Spain’s most active markets for non-resident foreign buyers.
Foreign Residents Near Historic Highs
Within the broader market, foreign residents — people already living in Spain — are a standout segment. Their transaction volume slipped slightly from the first half of 2025 but still reached the second-highest level in the historical data series. This is driven by long-term expats consolidating their life in Spain: buying primary residences, upsizing families, and making permanent moves from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and beyond.
Foreign Buyers Spain: The Price Per m² Gap in Full
The most striking finding from the notary data is not the volume of transactions — it is the price premium. Non-resident foreign buyers are paying significantly more per square metre than any other group, and the gap is not marginal.
| Buyer Group | Avg Price /m² (H2 2025) | Year-on-Year | Premium vs Nationals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Non-Residents | €3,242 | +5.8% | +75% |
| Foreign Residents | €1,963 | +9.4% | +7% |
| Spanish Nationals | €1,839 | +7.4% | — |
The 75% premium for non-residents is primarily a location effect. Non-resident buyers concentrate on Spain’s most competitive markets: the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, the Balearic Islands, and premium city-centre addresses in Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona. These are areas where supply is structurally constrained and international demand is perpetually strong.
💡 What this means if you are buying now
As a non-resident, you are entering a segment where prices are higher and still rising. That makes mortgage access even more critical. The ability to leverage up to 70% LTV on a non-resident mortgage means you preserve working capital while controlling a high-value asset. Tharros Brokers arranges exactly this across 12+ Spanish banks.
Foreign Buyers Spain: Two Very Different Markets
Plaza de España, Seville — Spain’s cultural cities are drawing a growing share of non-resident buyers seeking character properties beyond the traditional coastal markets.
The data make clear that “foreign buyers in Spain” is not a single homogeneous group. Resident and non-resident foreigners are operating in very different segments for very different reasons — and the price data reflect this precisely.
Foreign Residents: Buying Like Locals
Foreign residents in Spain buy primarily as primary residences. Working locally or remotely, raising families, or retiring into established communities — their behaviour tracks closely with Spanish nationals. This explains why their average price per m² (€1,963) is only 7% above the Spanish average. They buy where they live, not where they holiday.
Non-Resident Buyers: Lifestyle, Investment, Second Home
Non-residents are a different story. They are focused on second homes, investment properties with short-term rental potential, or lifestyle purchases in resort and coastal areas. They target the most desirable locations — which are the most expensive. That is the primary driver of the 75% premium: not overpaying in relative terms, but competing in a structurally more expensive segment.
It is also worth noting that while non-residents pay the most per m², resident foreigners are seeing the fastest price rises (+9.4% year-on-year) — consistent with strong demand from the growing population choosing to relocate to Spain permanently.
Ready to buy in Spain as a non-resident?
Tharros Brokers arranges non-resident mortgages across 12+ Spanish banks — up to 70% LTV, pre-approved in 24 hours, completely free to apply. Our 0.45% success-only fee means you pay nothing unless your mortgage completes.
Get Your Free Pre-Approval →Foreign Buyers Spain: What the Numbers Mean for Your Purchase
Ibiza Town (Eivissa) by day — the Balearic Islands represent one of Spain’s highest price-per-m² markets, driven almost entirely by non-resident demand.
If you are considering buying in Spain as a non-resident, the latest notary data carry a clear message: the market is competitive, prices are still moving upward, and supply in the premium segments most non-residents target remains tight. Waiting for a meaningful correction in coastal or Balearic property is, based on the data, not a high-probability strategy.
How Non-Resident Mortgages Work in Spain
As a non-resident, your mortgage options in Spain are more limited than those of a resident — but they are genuinely available, and on competitive terms, when you work with the right broker.
| Parameter | Non-Resident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum LTV | Up to 70% | Up to 80% |
| Typical term | Up to 25 years | Up to 30 years |
| Rate type options | Fixed or variable | Fixed or variable |
| Banks available (Tharros) | 12+ | 12+ |
| Pre-approval time | 24 hours | 24 hours |
Foreign Buyers Spain: Practical Steps Before You Buy
The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Valencia — designed by Santiago Calatrava, it anchors one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects and symbolises Valencia’s rising status among international buyers.
Whether you are buying in the Balearics, on the Costa del Sol, or in a city like Valencia or Seville, the purchase process requires several key steps before any mortgage can be arranged.
- Obtain your NIE number — mandatory Spanish tax identification number for all property transactions
- Get mortgage pre-approval — understand your real budget before committing to viewings
- Appoint a Spanish solicitor — independent legal representation is essential for non-residents
- Reserve the property — typically a €3,000–€10,000 holding deposit
- Sign the Contrato de Arras — private purchase contract, usually requiring 10% of the purchase price
- Complete at the notary — final signing, mortgage drawdown, and key handover
🏦 Pro Tips from Tharros Brokers
- Start your mortgage process before you find the property — pre-approval takes 24 hours and lets you make offers with confidence
- Budget 10–13% on top of the purchase price for ITP or VAT, notary, land registry, and legal costs
- Never accept the first mortgage offer you receive — Spanish banks rarely lead with their best rate for non-residents; a broker negotiates across 12+ lenders simultaneously
- Monitor Euribor — variable-rate mortgages in Spain are indexed to 12-month Euribor; understand the implications before choosing between fixed and variable
- Confirm your NIE status early — NIE processing delays are the single most common cause of deal delays for foreign buyers
Foreign Buyers Spain: Frequently Asked Questions
We don’t sell homes. We fund them.
If you are a foreign buyer ready to purchase in Spain, Tharros Brokers arranges your non-resident mortgage — up to 70% LTV, pre-approved in 24 hours, with a 0.45% success-only fee. No upfront costs. No obligation.
Start Your Free Application →