Brits continue to chase Spanish sunshine
The latest data insight from Enness Global has revealed that British interest in buying property in Spain continues to strengthen, despite growing political pressure from the Spanish government to restrict overseas buyers and curb foreign investment in the housing market.
Enness Global analysed Google search trend data across the UK, tracking search activity related to purchasing property and holiday homes in Spain between January 2024 and December 2025, in order to assess how buyer sentiment has evolved amid regulatory uncertainty.
The research shows that average search interest for the term “Buying in Spain” increased by 68.9% in 2025 when compared to 2024. At the same time, searches for “Holiday home Spain” climbed by 66.1% year-on-year, highlighting a strong and sustained appetite among British buyers for second homes and lifestyle properties in the country.
This growth has come despite mounting political pressure aimed at limiting foreign ownership, with the country abolishing its Golden Visa scheme in April 2025, removing the €500,000 property investment route to residency.
Last year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also proposed a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU residents, alongside discussions around restricting purchases to those who live and work in the country.
However, no formal timeline has been set for these measures as of yet, and their implementation remains uncertain, especially given that the Prime Minister currently leads a minority coalition government making it difficult for such proposals to secure approval.
Should it come to fruition, legal challenges are also expected, as Spain’s constitution prohibits tax policies that are deemed confiscatory, placing further question marks over the viability of a 100% levy.
Despite the uncertainty of future foreign homeownership in Spain, Enness Global’s analysis suggests that demand from UK buyers has remained resilient and for many British buyers, Spain continues to represent an attractive escape from rising living costs and economic uncertainty at home.
Further analysis of overseas property listings highlights where British buyers are most likely to secure a Spanish home, with the analysis showing that more than half of all overseas listings are currently concentrated in Andalusia, accounting for 52.5% of available stock. Valencia follows with 22.8%, while the Balearic Islands represent 8.5% of listings.
Murcia accounts for 8.0% of overseas stock, while Catalonia holds 3.8% and the Canary Islands 2.6%. Together, these regions account for the vast majority of homes currently available to international buyers, reflecting a continued focus on coastal and lifestyle-led destinations.
Islay Robinson, CEO of Enness Global, commented:
“Despite the political noise around restricting overseas buyers, British interest in Spanish property remains remarkably resilient and our analysis shows that demand hasn’t weakened, if anything, it has strengthened over the past year.
For many UK buyers, Spain continues to offer an unbeatable combination of lifestyle, climate, and relative value, particularly when compared to some parts of the domestic market.
While regulatory changes may alter how people buy, they are unlikely to change why people buy and we are seeing many clients place a greater emphasis on structuring purchases efficiently based on the evolving landscape.
Ultimately, Spain remains one of the most desirable second-home and relocation destinations for British buyers and even in a tighter regulatory environment, demand for quality lifestyle property in the sun shows no sign of fading.”
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