Though Brits stay high of the chief board in terms of international property patrons in Spain, their numbers have fallen dramatically. Brexit is undoubtedly enjoying a component on this drop, however it’s not the one issue.
Brits have lengthy been the first international property patrons in Spain and proceed to be so. Nevertheless, their market share has plummeted in recent times.
In first quarter of 2016, British patrons accounted for 21.91 % of all international transactions, however by the beginning of 2026 this determine had fallen to six.82 % in keeping with the newest knowledge from Spain’s Normal Council of Notaries.
Regardless of this drop, Brits nonetheless paved the way within the present rankings, however by a a lot narrower margin than earlier than.
They’re adopted by patrons from the Netherlands (6.56 %), Morocco (6.21 %), Germany (6.09 %), and Italy (5.54 %), who full the present high 5.
It’s vital to bear in mind that these stats comprise each residents and non-residents, in order that they’re not solely folks shopping for vacation houses, but in addition Brits who reside within the nation and are shopping for main residences to dwell in full-time in Spain.
READ ALSO: Non-resident foreigners buy fewer properties in Spain
Relating to non-residents alone, figures from the second half of 2025 present that Brits are not on the high. Dutch non-residents purchased probably the most quantity houses at 12.6 %, adopted by Germans with 11.9 %.
Brits got here in third place with 11.5 % and Belgians in fourth with 8.1 %.
Of all of the areas in Spain, Murcia and Andalusia stay favourites amongst Brits for getting property, in keeping with the newest knowledge from the Normal Council of Notaries.
Brexit
One of many main causes for this decline is after all Brexit, significantly in terms of non-resident patrons from Blighty.
Because the UK is not a part of the EU, it signifies that Brits don’t have freedom of motion and may’t simply merely transfer to Spain on a whim and keep for nonetheless lengthy they please.
Crucially, Schengen guidelines imply that non-resident Brits can’t keep in Spain greater than 90 days in each 180 days, so there’s much less time folks can keep in vacation houses.
Property skilled Mark Stücklin from Spain Property Perception agrees that Brexit is the most important cause for the decline in British patrons. “I do know it depresses lots of people who would possibly in any other case have considered shopping for a vacation house in Spain, or relocating to Spain” he informed The Native.
With the intention to transfer right here completely or retire right here for instance, Brits should apply for a visa and meet very particular necessities, which is commonly linked to funds.
Property taxes
Earlier than Brexit, many Brits could have additionally purchased a property in Spain as an funding with a purpose to lease out to different vacationers in addition to to make use of themselves, however as a result of they’re not EU residents they now must pay 24 % of rental earnings in taxes as a substitute of simply 19 %. These signifies that these actual property investments are not as worthwhile as they as soon as had been both.
READ ALSO: Non-residents or foreigners? Spain’s Canaries debate who should face property limits
Opposition to rich international patrons
Another excuse might be the notion of shifting opinions relating to international property patrons in Spain over the previous few years.
Prosperous international traders have been partly blamed for the continued housing disaster in Spain, accused of driving up costs, turning properties into vacationer lodging and taking houses off the market that might in any other case be obtainable to locals.
Locals from many areas have even held a number of protests over the previous few years over international patrons and the housing disaster.
Some areas such because the Balearics and the Canary Islands have even gone so far as discussing limiting foreigners from shopping for property there.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez additionally introduced a one hundred pc property tax for non-resident non-EU foreigners in 2025, successfully making the worth double for them. Though nothing has been finished about it up to now, it may turn into a actuality sooner or later.
Many Brits could concentrate on these sentiments and are being delay shopping for a property in Spain consequently.
READ ALSO: Foreign residents don’t outspend locals in Spain’s housing market, non-residents do
Weakening Pound
Stücklin explains that “The Pound is down about 15 % in opposition to the Euro, making it 15 % dearer for Brits shopping for with GBP”.
“Similtaneously Spanish home costs have gone up considerably over the identical interval and British home costs or home worth fairness wealth has stagnated,” he added.
Spanish properties are not the discount houses for Brits as they as soon as had been. Costs have skyrocketed in Spain in recent times. In line with property big Idealista, costs have elevated by 16.9 % simply within the final 12 months alone.
And knowledge from the Ministry of Housing and City Agenda reveals that costs have risen a whopping 35 % within the final 10 years.
Coupled with a lack of buying energy, not as many Brits can afford second houses in Spain like they as soon as may.
“The British financial system is struggling for plenty of causes and consequently the UK is an more and more poor nation the place fewer folks can afford a second house overseas,” Stücklin concludes.
Cancellation of Spain’s golden visa scheme
The cancellation of the golden visa scheme may have additionally performed a really small half within the decline of British patrons.
The visa allowed non-EU residents (just like the Brits are actually) to achieve residency in Spain in the event that they purchased a property value over €500,000.
This was probably the most lenient of Spain’s visa schemes, that means that extra prosperous Brits who may afford most of these properties could now be trying elsewhere with a purpose to acquire residency in an EU nation.
OPINION: End of Spain’s golden visa is a reminder that Brexit drawbacks continue
