Spain’s real estate market continues to attract global investors. According to the Annual Report by the Spanish Registrars' Association, foreigners purchased 93,000 properties in 2024 — a 6.4% increase from 2023 (87,400), marking three consecutive years of growth after five years of decline. Catalonia, where 16.3% of transactions involved foreign buyers, remains a prime destination.
Key Figures for Catalonia and Spain
- Foreign Buyer Share in Spain: 14.6% (close to the 2023 record of 14.98%).
In Catalonia:
- Top Provinces: Girona (27.1%) and Tarragona (16.9%).
- Mortgages: 11.6% of loans went to foreigners, averaging €178,287 (3rd highest nationally).
Who’s buying and where?
Top Nationalities in Spain:
1. British (8.64%).
2. German (6.7%).
3. Moroccan (5.7%).
4. French (5.4%).
5. Dutch (5.35%).
Most Popular Regions:
1. Balearic Islands (32.6%).
2. Valencian Community (28.9%).
3. Canary Islands (27.2%).
4. Catalonia (16.3%).
Luxury market boom: Impact of the Golden Visa
Spain: 10.8% of foreign purchases exceeded €500,000 (historic high).
Catalonia: In areas like Girona and Tarragona, EU and non-EU investors target high-end properties.
Key Insight: After the golden visa ended in April 2025, 52.57% of premium deals were by non-EU buyers, prioritizing long-term returns.
Financing: mortgage surge
Though foreigners often use cash, they secured 32,714 mortgages in 2024 (+13.1% vs 2023), averaging €171,202 (+8.6%). In Catalonia:
- Example: A €178,287 average loan reflects demand for spacious homes (100+ m²), accounting for 35.32% of foreign purchases.
Catalan Trends: New vs. Resale
Resale Properties: 79.87% of foreign purchases (vs 78.87% for locals).
Nationalities: French (87.08%) and Moroccans (85.89%) favor resale.
New Builds: Only 20.13% of foreign deals (21.13% for Spaniards), led by Dutch (29.78%) and Belgians (32.39%).
What This Means for Catalan Investors
- Premium Opportunities: Demand for €500,000+ homes persists post-*golden visa*.
- Hotspots: Costa Brava (Girona), Tarragona, and Barcelona remain top choices.