Are Spanish Properties Off Limits to UK Buyers?
The UK tabloids have created much confusion over Spanish properties in the last few years. News of outright bans on sales to foreigners and high taxation rates has put many people off what was once a solid, hassle-free investment. Yet not all of these headlines are true, and below we dissect whether Spanish properties still provide a good investment for UK buyers.
The Truth Behind the Headlines
Most of the headlines stem from an announcement in January 2025. This claimed that Spain would begin to impose a tax of 100% on residents from outside the EU, which included the UK. This was to address what the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as a property crisis in the country, in which he did not want the country to become a place of rich landlords and poor tenants.
The move was set to be finalized after careful study. However, this has not yet come into being, and very little else has been said about it. It was met with significant outcry from landlords, estate agents and expats in the country.
The Positives of Buying Spanish Property
For those considering Spanish property, there are still areas where you can get a bargain. A report in July 2025 suggested that the Basque Country was the cheapest place to buy, with an average of €1,793 per square meter found in the small, quiet town of Bérriz. These prices rise the closer you get to the coast, but costs of €2,261 per square meter can still be found in seaside towns such as Bermeo.
Their prices are rising, however, so it makes sense to invest sooner rather than later. Many people are choosing to liquidate existing UK properties ahead of a rise in taxation set to take place this year. Companies that advertise a ‘sell house fast’ service with cash offers can be useful for this. Here, speed is the key, with sales being turned around in as few as 7 days. With cash offers on every property, they are a good way to raise capital for a Spanish buy.
Despite moves to get Airbnb out of certain Spanish regions, there are still laws in favor of those buying for holiday lets. Recently, Andalucian Courts have established that any license for holiday rentals is linked to the property, not the named owner of the license. Therefore, any future purchases of already existing holiday properties will probably already come with a license intact.
The Current Market
Spanish property is still selling well to UK expats. On average, the British property buyers tend to spend around €490,000, or did over 2024 and the first half of 2025. Around 82% of buyers already know the region in which they want to make a purchase. Around 15% of the Spanish property market is made up of sales to those from outside the EU.
Changes such as the taxation law would bring it into line with countries such as Denmark and Canada. However, there are worries that this could stifle investment in the country. For those wanting to buy, it will pay to see how this unfolds in the next few months, and if no decision is made, you should consider looking into a dream Spanish home.
