Foreign Interest in Spanish Property Market Remains High Despite Pandemic
Despite the ongoing global pandemic and travel restrictions, the Spanish property market continues to attract foreign buyers. The allure of a home on the sunny Spanish coast remains strong, with expats continuing to search for and purchase properties, particularly in coastal areas.
Foreign Visits to Idealista Show Continued Interest
Data from the second quarter of 2021 reveals that 11.3% of all visits to Idealista, a popular property website, were from abroad. This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous year, but still demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Spanish coast for foreign buyers.
Germany, France, and the UK Lead the Search for Spanish Properties
The majority of property searches on Idealista are from Germany, France, and the UK. German buyers show a particular interest in the Valencian coast and the Spanish islands, while French buyers are drawn to the Catalan and Basque coasts. British expats, despite losing their top spot in many areas, continue to show interest in the Costa Blanca, Murcia, and Andalusia.
US, Italian, and Swiss Buyers Also Show Interest
Following these three countries, the next highest interest in Spanish property comes from the USA, Italy, and Switzerland. US buyers show a preference for the Cantabrian coast, Italians for the Canary and Balearic islands, and Swiss buyers for Galicia.
Foreign Buyers in the North of Spain
In the northern provinces of Spain, the majority of property searches come from the UK. However, in Galicia, there is also significant interest from Swiss and US buyers. In Gipuzkoa, French buyers dominate, while in Biscay, German and British expats are the most active.
French Buyers Dominate the Catalan Coast
In Catalonia, particularly in the coastal towns of Girona and Tarragona, the majority of property searches come from France. In the province of Barcelona, there is a more diverse range of interest, with German buyers showing interest in areas such as Castelldefels, Montgat, and Gavá.
Expat Buyers on the Valencia Coast
The Valencian coast sees a shift from French dominance in Castellón to a more diverse range of nationalities in Alicante. In Valencia, there is a greater interest from Germany, while French buyers prefer the city of Valencia and tourist areas such as Guardamar and Gandía.
British Buyers Dominate in Andalusia
In Andalusia, the majority of property searches come from the UK. However, there are some locations where other nationalities show more interest. For example, in Almería, German buyers prefer Pulpí and French buyers prefer Carboneras.
Germans Prefer the Spanish Islands
On the Canary and Balearic Islands, there is a diverse range of nationalities searching for properties. While Mallorca is traditionally dominated by German buyers, Ibiza attracts more interest from Italy and the Netherlands.
Methodology of the Study
This study was conducted by tracking the IP location of visits to Idealista property listings. Therefore, it reflects the location of the visitor, not necessarily their nationality. For example, a Colombian or Venezuelan living in the USA and searching for a Spanish property would be counted as a US visitor.
