Foreign buyers continue to show strong interest in Spain’s property market, with nearly 100,000 homes now purchased by non-Spaniards – a new record in absolute terms, according to Spain’s Property Registrars.
Among those transactions, demand for large homes – properties with five or more bedrooms – remains significant, although it represents a niche segment.
Data from the Ministry of Housing shows that in the first half of 2025, around 3,240 homes larger than 180m2 and priced above €1.05 million were sold, accounting for just 0.9% of the 370,119 total property transactions recorded during that period.
Coastal hotspots dominate demand for these high-end properties. Established luxury destinations such as Marbella, Palma and Javea rank among the most sought-after locations, alongside large apartments in major cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
According to data from property portal idealista, just 30 municipalities accounted for 25% of all overseas searches for five-bedroom homes or larger in Spain during the fourth quarter of 2025.
Marbella topped the list overall, followed by Madrid and Barcelona. Other popular areas include Mijas, Estepona, Benalmadena and Benahavis on the Costa del Sol, as well as coastal Alicante towns such as Denia, Altea, Moraira and Calpe.
Where wealthy Brits are searching for five-bed homes (Data from quarter 4 of 2025, source: Idealista)
The Balearic Islands, particularly Calvia and Santa Eulalia del Río, also feature prominently.
Regional sales data mirrors this trend. Madrid led the market for luxury homes over 180m2 and above €1 million, with more than 1,300 sales in the first half of 2025. Andalucia followed with 640 such transactions – more than 500 of them in Malaga province alone.
Catalonia recorded around 530 sales, mainly in Barcelona and Girona, while the Balearics saw nearly 400.
The Valencian Community registered close to 180 transactions, with 77% concentrated in Alicante province.
Buyer preferences vary by nationality. British house-hunters focus heavily on the Costa del Sol – Marbella, Mijas, Estepona and Sotogrande – as well as Alicante’s coastal towns, though Madrid and Barcelona also attract attention.
German buyers show a clear preference for the Balearic Islands, particularly Palma and Calvia, alongside Barcelona and Valencia. French interest centres on major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, but also extends to Marbella and parts of Girona province.
Italian buyers favour Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, while also showing interest in Málaga, Sevilla and island destinations in both the Canary and Balearic Islands. US buyers tend to prioritise Madrid and Barcelona, but cities such as Marbella, Malaga, Sevilla, Alicante and even Oviedo and Granada also appear in their top searches. Meanwhile, Mexican buyers focus overwhelmingly on Madrid and its affluent suburbs, including Pozuelo de Alarcón and Las Rozas.
Overall, while luxury properties represent a small fraction of total transactions, foreign demand for large, high-value homes remains concentrated in Spain’s prime coastal areas and major urban centres.
