Property for sale in Spain for foreigners
Property in Spain for foreigners is increasingly bought for living rather than for holidays, and property in Spain for permanent residence is one of the clearest routes for a move. The climate is mild, the infrastructure works, and prices sit below most of northern Europe. In the first half of 2025 foreign buyers took 71,155 homes, and in Malaga province they reached 42.9% of all purchases.
The market keeps growing. The national average reached €2,153 per m² in 2025, up 12.8% over the year, with a positive outlook for 2026 of between 5.3% and 6.3%. For anyone relocating, that means a home holds its value while the paperwork and the move are sorted out.
Real estate in Spain for relocation sells fastest on the coast and in the big cities, close to international schools, private clinics and established expat communities. Property in Spain for expats is driven by families with children, remote professionals and pensioners.
Types of property in Spain for moving to
Property in Spain for moving to starts at around €30,000 for a studio and runs to several million for a villa, so property in Spain for relocation prices cover a very wide range. For permanent living, floor area, the neighbourhood and the distance to work or school matter more than the entry price.
| Property type | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments and flats in Spain | Singles and couples, city life | from €30,000 |
| Studios in Spain | The smallest budget, a start in a new country | from €40,000 |
| Penthouses in Spain | Those who value space and a view | from €150,000 |
| Duplexes in Spain | A family, two floors without a private plot | from €120,000 |
| Townhouses in Spain | A family with children, a garden, neighbours | from €130,000 |
| Villas and houses in Spain | Permanent living out of town | from €250,000 |
The cost of property in Spain depends on the region: a metre is cheaper on the Costa Blanca and dearer on the Costa del Sol and in the capital. New builds (off-plan projects) usually cost more than resale, but offer modern layouts and energy efficiency, which matter for year-round living.
The choice of format for a move differs from a holiday one. Families tend to pick townhouses and duplexes with a garden, while a couple or a single buyer is fine with a flat or a studio in the city, closer to work and transport.
Best places in Spain for foreigners to live
Real estate in Spain for permanent residence is available in every major region, yet most movers look first at the coast and the big cities. The climate, prices and local community differ from place to place.
| Location | Features | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Malaga | IT hub of the south, airport, healthcare | over 5,200 properties |
| Marbella | Premium segment, international schools | over 2,300 properties |
| Torrevieja | The most affordable start on the coast | over 1,000 properties |
| Benidorm | High-rise flats with full infrastructure | over 700 properties |
| Alicante | A city by the sea with year-round services | over 300 properties |
| Valencia | Spain's third city, schools and clinics | over 60 properties |
| Madrid | The capital for those who want a city rather than the coast | over 60 properties |
The cost of living is lower than in most of Western Europe, and property prices in Spain follow the same pattern. A one-bedroom flat rents for about €712 outside the centre and €907 in the centre, a single person spends around €717 a month before rent, and a family of four around €2,594. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is about €15, basic utilities around €132 a month.
Quality of life adds to the case. Spain's public healthcare ranks among the best in Europe, crime is low, and a Russian-speaking network of schools, doctors and lawyers has grown along the coast. A three-bedroom flat for a family rents for about €1,082 outside the centre and €1,430 in the centre, noticeably cheaper than London or Paris.
Moving to Spain for permanent residence when buying property
Buying a home does not grant residency on its own: the golden visa programme closed on 3 April 2025. Still, owning property for permanent residence makes the move easier, confirming an address and financial standing when you apply for a visa.
To buy real estate in Spain for permanent residence and stay legally, you choose one of the residence permits:
- The non-lucrative visa. For those with passive income such as a pension, rent or dividends. You confirm around €2,400 a month for the applicant and €600 for each family member.
- The digital nomad visa. For remote employees of foreign companies. The income threshold is around €2,849 a month, plus €1,069 for a spouse and €357 per child.
- A work or student visa, or family reunification. These suit anyone with a job, studies or close relatives already resident.
The path is simple in logic. After 5 years of continuous residence you obtain permanent residence, and after 10 years you can apply for citizenship, with a shorter term for citizens of certain countries. Time on the non-lucrative and digital nomad visas counts, provided you live in the country at least 183 days a year.
Citizenship also requires language and culture exams (DELE A2 and CCSE) and keeping your main centre of life in Spain. A home of your own works in your favour here, proving your address and financial stability when the status is renewed.
Procedure for a foreigner to purchase property in Spain
To buy property in Spain as a foreigner there are no restrictions, citizenship and residency make no difference. The deal follows a clear sequence.
- Get an NIE, the foreigner's identification number, and open a Spanish bank account.
- Pay a reservation and sign the deposit contract (arras), usually 10% of the price.
- Check the legal status of the property through a lawyer.
- Sign the title deed (escritura) before a notary and pay the taxes: 6% to 13% on resale, 10% VAT plus stamp duty on a new build.
- Register the title in the Land Registry.
Budget around 10% to 13% on top of the price for the deal itself: taxes, the notary, registration and legal support. These costs are the same for residents and non-residents.
The whole purchase can run remotely by power of attorney: the NIE and the account are arranged from abroad, and the property is viewed by video.
Buy property in Spain for relocation from developer Alegria
Real estate from developer Alegria is a direct database of listings across the whole country with no middlemen. The simplest way to buy real estate in Spain for relocation is right here: apartments, villas, townhouses, penthouses and duplexes from the Costa Blanca to the Costa del Sol sit in a single catalogue. Prices on the site are shown in several currencies for convenience, while the deal itself is completed in euros.
Managers guide you through the deal in English, help with the NIE, a mortgage, the residence permit and a remote purchase. Every listing comes with photos, a floor plan and a location on the map, so the first shortlist can be made before you travel.
Start your new life in Spain
Choose a home for your move, compare regions and prices, and take the first step towards life by the sea. The catalogue of listings across the country is open, and a manager will help with the choice, the documents and the residence permit.
