If you’re thinking about investing in Spanish property, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide covers everything from understanding the Spanish property market to navigating regulatory hurdles and maximising your returns.
Spain continues to attract international property investors thanks to promising opportunities for capital appreciation and attractive rental returns. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to overseas property investment, Spain offers plenty of opportunities for growth – provided you plan carefully and keep informed.
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Contents
- Why invest in Spanish property?
- Understanding the Spanish property market
- What rental yields to expect
- Legal requirements for foreign investors
- Essential tax considerations
- Using a property management firm
- How Spain’s 2025 rental regulations impact investors
- Top locations to invest in Spanish property
- Currency exchange services for your investment
- FAQs about investing in Spanish property
Why invest in Spanish property?
Spain continues to attract property investors from around the world, offering steady price rises and strong rental returns, especially in popular holiday spots like the Costa del Sol. Its ongoing popularity as a top tourist destination means consistent rental demand, making Spanish property a dependable long-term investment.
Understanding the Spanish property market
The Spanish property market has shown steady price growth in recent years. Data from Spain’s statistics institute (INE) indicates a 47% overall increase in property prices from 2015 to 2023. New builds saw the strongest appreciation, with prices rising by around 67% over the same period, while resales grew by 44%.
Regionally, the highest price rises have been concentrated in areas popular with international buyers, notably Madrid and the Balearic Islands, both seeing increases of about 63%. Catalonia follows closely with a 57% rise. Andalusia and the Canary Islands saw property values climb around 44%. In comparison, less tourist-focused central regions like Castilla-La-Mancha and Extremadura experienced much lower growth of approximately 17%.
This indicates a clear link between international buyer demand, tourism and capital growth potential – highlighting the importance of location when choosing investment properties.
What rental yields to expect
The average gross rental yield across Spain is approximately 5.6%* per annum before taxes. However, this figure varies greatly by location and rental type.
| Location | Average gross rental yield |
|---|---|
| Madrid | 4.8% |
| Valencia | 5.8% |
| Balearic Islands | 5.8% |
| Andalusia (Costa del Sol) | 5.5% |
*Source: Global Property Guide
Short-term holiday rentals generally offer higher returns, particularly in popular cities like Madrid, Valencia and Málaga. Madrid consistently ranks among Europe’s top cities for rental performance, following Paris and London.
Legal requirements for foreign investors
As an overseas investor, complying with Spanish legal requirements is crucial. Every property must be officially registered with Spain’s land registry (Registro de la Propiedad). Documents related to your property transaction will be in Spanish, so it’s wise to employ a multilingual lawyer to assist you.
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If your goal is to rent your property, you must secure a tourism licence, now obligatory nationwide from January 2025. Compliance includes meeting specified standards such as adequate air conditioning, emergency contact information, appropriate safety measures (fire extinguishers, smoke alarms etc) and maintaining accurate guest registration records. You must also obtain explicit authorisation from your Community of Owners before renting your property to tourists.
As of January 2025, you must now secure a tourism licence to rent out your property
Essential tax considerations
Foreign property owners have several taxes to be aware of:
- Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR): applies whether or not the property is rented out.
- Property Transfer Tax (ITP): payable at 6% to 10% on second-hand property purchases.
- Value Added Tax (IVA): applicable on new builds at 10% for residential properties and up to 21% for non-residential properties.
- Capital Gains Tax: fixed at 19% for profits on property sales for non-residents.
- Annual Local Property Tax (IBI): based on the property’s value and local council rates.
- Wealth Tax: ranges from 0.2% to 2.5%, depending on regional rules.
Always seek professional advice to ensure you remain fully compliant and avoid unforeseen tax liabilities.
Using a property management firm
Managing rental properties remotely can be complex, particularly with short-term holiday lets.
Professional property management companies can make your life a whole lot easier by handling tenant screening, maintenance, emergency repairs, regular cleaning and compliance with licensing conditions.
Management costs typically range from 15% to 30% of rental income but are essential for stress-free property ownership and maintaining high occupancy rates and positive guest reviews.
How Spain’s 2025 rental regulations impact investors
Spain’s new 2025 regulations come in response to local worries about a lack of affordable housing, partly due to a rise in holiday lets on platforms like Airbnb. Under the new rules, holiday rentals across the country must meet tougher standards, and major cities like Barcelona, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Seville have placed tighter restrictions on short-term rentals. Breaking these rules could mean fines of up to €60,000.
But it’s not all bad news – fewer properties on the market means higher rental prices and less competition if you play by the rules. Your best bet as an investor is to look for homes just outside the restricted central zones, ideally close to transport links and local amenities.
Top locations to invest in Spanish property
Locations offering robust rental demand yet fewer regulatory restrictions include neighbourhoods on the outskirts of cities like Barcelona and Málaga and smaller coastal towns with good accessibility and amenities. Properties with Wi-Fi, outdoor spaces, parking facilities and close to public transport or beaches typically attract higher rental returns.
Currency exchange services for your investment
Currency swings can make a big difference to how profitable your investment is overall. By working with a currency specialist you can get favourable exchange rates, expert market advice and useful tools like forward contracts to keep your investment safe from currency volatility.
Get personalised currency advice from the experts at Smart Currency Exchange.
FAQs about investing in Spanish property
Is investing in property in Spain a good idea?
Yes – if you choose the right location and understand the rules. Spain continues to offer solid rental yields and long-term capital growth, especially in areas with strong tourism or local demand. You’ll need to factor in upfront and ongoing costs but with careful planning and professional support, property investment in Spain can be both rewarding and profitable.
How long can I stay in Spain if I own a property there?
Owning a property in Spain does not give you automatic residency. As a non-EU citizen, you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a visa or residency permit.
How much tax do I pay when buying a property in Spain?
The main tax you’ll pay depends on the type of property. For resale properties, expect to pay between 6% and 10% in Property Transfer Tax (ITP). For new builds, you’ll pay 10% VAT (IVA) plus 0.75% to 1.5% in stamp duty (AJD). You’ll also need to budget for notary fees, legal fees and registration costs.
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