Why 9.5 Million People Have Chosen Spain — And How You Can Join Them
Spain is now the third-largest destination for foreign residents in the EU. Here’s what the latest data means for expats thinking about buying property.
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If you’ve been thinking about buying property in Spain, you’re in very good company. New Eurostat data released in early 2026 confirms what many expats already know: Spain has become one of the most popular places in Europe for international residents — and the numbers are accelerating.
At Tharros Brokers, we work exclusively with foreign buyers financing Spanish property. We see this trend every day in our pipeline. This post breaks down the key data, what it means for the property market, and — crucially — what it means for your mortgage options as a non-resident.
Spain Is Now Europe’s Third-Largest Destination for Foreign Residents
As of 1 January 2025, Spain was home to approximately 9.5 million foreign-born residents — putting it third in the EU behind only Germany (17.2 million) and France (9.6 million). Italy, with 6.9 million, comes in fourth.
| Country | Foreign-Born Residents | Share of Population |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 17.2 million | 20.5% |
| France | 9.6 million | ~14% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 9.5 million | 19.3% |
| Italy | 6.9 million | ~11.7% |
Together, these four countries hosted roughly two-thirds of all foreign-born residents in the EU. Spain’s 19.3% foreign-born share puts it well above the EU average of 10.4%, and ahead of countries like Sweden (20.8%) and Germany (20.5%) in terms of how internationally diverse its communities have become relative to total population.
Spain’s large international population means well-established expat infrastructure: English-speaking services, international schools, foreign-friendly banks, and legal professionals who understand cross-border transactions. This makes buying — and financing — property significantly easier than in less internationalized markets.
6.9 Million Non-Nationals: What the Citizenship Data Tells Us
Eurostat also measures residents by citizenship rather than birthplace. On this measure, Spain hosts around 6.9 million non-nationals — people living in Spain without Spanish citizenship. Only Germany hosts more, at 12.4 million.
The gap between 9.5 million foreign-born and 6.9 million non-nationals reflects a significant group who were born abroad but have since acquired Spanish nationality — typically after 10 years of legal residency (or just 2 years for Latin American nationals).
For buyers from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Northern Europe who haven’t yet obtained Spanish nationality, you’re firmly in the non-resident mortgage category — which is exactly where Tharros specialises.
A Decade of Growth: Spain’s Foreign Population Since 2015
Between 2015 and 2025, the share of foreign-born residents increased in almost every EU country. Only Latvia and Greece saw decreases. Spain’s growth over this period reflects several converging trends:
- Remote working — post-pandemic flexibility has driven thousands of Northern European and North American professionals to relocate
- Retiree migration — Spain’s climate, healthcare quality and cost of living remain unmatched for European retirees
- Latin American immigration — Spain’s language and cultural ties continue to attract residents from across Latin America
- Post-Brexit UK residents — despite regulatory changes, British buyers remain among the most active foreign property purchasers in Spain
Where Do Most Foreign Residents Come From?
In most EU countries, the majority of foreign-born residents were born outside the EU. Spain’s international population reflects its unique historical ties:
A Younger Population: What It Means for Spain’s Property Market
Foreign-born residents in Spain tend to be younger and more concentrated in working ages than the native population. The median age of foreign-born EU residents is 43.1 years versus 45.2 years for native-born — but the more significant difference is the higher share of working-age adults (15–64) in the foreign population.
For Spain’s property market, this translates directly into sustained demand:
- Working-age expats buy homes — they’re not just renting
- Dual-income international households typically have stronger mortgage profiles
- Coastal and urban areas with high foreign populations see consistently strong resale values
- Rental yields in expat-heavy areas (Costa del Sol, Valencia, Mallorca) remain among Spain’s strongest
What This Means If You’re Considering Buying in Spain
The growth of Spain’s international population has a direct and positive effect on the mortgage market for foreign buyers:
Tharros Brokers has helped 500+ international clients secure Spanish mortgages since 2022. We work exclusively with foreign buyers — we know exactly how to get your application approved.
No commitment. No upfront fees. English-speaking advisors.