Record: Almost 4 out of 10 homes in the province of Malaga are bought by foreigners.

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Spaniards are buying less housing, while foreigners are buying more than ever. This is the main conclusion of fresh statistics from property registries for the summer of 2026. On the Costa del Sol, this trend is especially clear.

Figures you should know

• 38.8% of all housing purchases in the province of Malaga in July, August, and September were made by foreigners. Only in Alicante is the share higher.
• 16% was the share of foreigners across all of Spain. This is a record for the entire period of observation.
• 6% fewer deals took place in the country overall compared with last year. It is becoming harder for Spanish families to buy due to high prices.
• €3 400 per m² was the average deal price in the province of Malaga. This is one of the highest prices in Spain.

Who is buying

Most housing in Spain is bought by Britons. Next come citizens of Morocco, the Netherlands, Germany, and Romania. Three out of four foreign buyers come from Europe.

Buyers from the USA and Canada pay the most: on average €4 469 per square meter, almost twice the average price in the country. In Marbella, we see this clearly: American clients look for modern villas with sea views and are willing to pay for the best.

Why this is happening

Spaniards most often buy homes with a mortgage, and prices are rising faster than wages. That is why there are fewer local buyers.

In the premium segment, foreigners usually buy without a loan. For them, a house on the coast means a second home by the sea, life in retirement, or a reliable investment. The noise around new laws did not stop them: the tax for foreigners has still not been adopted, and the new rules mainly concern rentals.

What this means for you

Your home will be easy to sell. There are buyers from dozens of countries, so a good villa in Marbella does not depend on the condition of one economy.

But the price must be fair. Analysts note that buyers have become more cautious and do not pay for properties with inflated prices.

The best properties go quickly. For rare sea-view villas, buyers from all over the world compete. The winner is the one who learns about the offer earlier than others, often even before it is published on websites.

It is worth looking at the neighbors of Marbella. Estepona is growing fast thanks to new projects, and Benahavis is chosen by those for whom peace and space matter.

In short

The Costa del Sol market is driven by international buyers, not Spanish mortgages. That is why there are fewer deals in the country, while interest in the coast keeps growing. There are fewer good properties, but more buyers.

Check out the current listings in the ABARZO catalog or write to us: we will find options that are not yet available to the public.

ABARZO Real Estate — Your guide to real estate and lifestyle in Marbella