Buying in Spain: what overseas buyers should know
Each year a steady stream of buyers choose Spain, drawn by the climate, the Mediterranean coast and islands, the food, and how easy the country is to reach from the UK. Spain has one of Europe's most active property markets, with strong demand from international buyers and a purchase process that overseas buyers know well.
Visas and spending time in Spain
Owning a home in Spain is open to UK buyers with no restriction. What changed after Brexit is the time you can spend there, not your right to own. Without a visa, UK passport holders can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Spain's Golden Visa, which once granted residency in return for a property purchase, closed in 2025, but other routes remain for those who want to stay longer, including a non-lucrative visa for people with independent means and a digital nomad visa for remote workers. It is worth checking the current requirements before you plan an extended stay.
How a purchase works in Spain
Buyers in Spain first obtain an NIE, the foreigner's identification number, then work with a lawyer who runs the legal checks. An accepted offer usually leads to a reservation and a private contract with a deposit, before completion is signed in front of a notary. Costs on top of the price include a transfer tax on resale homes, which varies by region, or VAT on new-build property, so it is worth asking your agent to set out the full budget for your chosen area.
Everyday costs in Spain
For many buyers the appeal is an outdoor, sociable way of life at a lower everyday cost than the UK. Local property taxes are modest, eating out and public transport generally cost less, and the climate lets much of life be lived outside. Owners plan for the annual local property tax, known as IBI, and non-residents also have a small annual tax to account for.
Prices, financing and demand in Spain
The Spanish market has been busy, supported by steady interest from buyers across Europe and beyond, and Spain regularly ranks among the most popular places for Britons to buy abroad. New-build supply is strong in parts of the south and the islands, while established coastal areas continue to hold their appeal. Financing is available to non-residents through Spanish banks, usually with a larger deposit than a resident would need.
Start your search to see property for sale across Spain, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Spain
Spain offers a wide choice of property, and the right area depends on how you want to use your home.
The Costa del Sol in the south is the best known stretch for international buyers, taking in Marbella, Estepona and Malaga, with everything from beachfront apartments to golf villas, alongside quieter coastal towns such as Nerja and the gated estates around Sotogrande. Further up the eastern coast, the Costa Blanca and Alicante offer some of the country's more accessible coastal property.
The Balearic islands of Mallorca and Menorca combine island living with reliable flight links, while the Canary Islands, including Tenerife and Lanzarote, offer warm weather through the year.
As a general rule, prime coastal areas such as Marbella sit at the upper end of the market, while parts of the Costa Blanca and the islands offer more accessible values. Our Property Collections make it simpler to search by lifestyle, from beachfront and golf to pool and view. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
