Foreign Buyers' Influence on Spain's Real Estate Landscape
The Spanish real estate market continues to witness significant participation from foreign buyers, accounting for more than 18% of property transactions in the latter half of 2025. However, the behaviors and preferences of these buyers differ markedly across various regions. In this context, La Rioja has emerged as a unique player, particularly appealing to residents of specific nationalities.
According to the data from the General Council of Notaries, British and Moroccan nationals lead the pack in terms of total operations in Spain, representing 7.8% and 7.7% of transactions, respectively. However, in more inland communities like La Rioja, the profile of foreign buyers diverges from that of the more tourist-oriented areas of the country. Particularly among foreign residents in Spain, Moroccan nationals dominate the market with the highest number of transactions, concentrating a remarkable 25.8% of their purchases in La Rioja. Romanian buyers also hold a significant share, responsible for 21.3% of operations in this region, placing La Rioja among the territories with the most notable presence of these buyer profiles.
Distinct Markets: La Rioja vs Coastal Regions
This purchasing behavior starkly contrasts with that of non-residents who typically focus on coastal and tourist destinations. For instance, the Valencian Community has captured a staggering 40% of these operations, followed closely by Andalucía, Cataluña, and Murcia. In contrast, La Rioja does not fall within this circuit associated with second homes or international investments. The real estate market in La Rioja thus operates under a distinct logic, more closely linked to the settled foreign population and their need for permanent housing. This is further evidenced by the differences in average prices; while nationals from Sweden or Germany may pay upwards of €3,500 per square meter in Spain, Moroccan or Romanian buyers—who are notably active in La Rioja—operating in much lower price brackets, at approximately €768 and €1,350 per square meter, respectively.
Across the country, the highest number of transactions during this period has been recorded from the United Kingdom, Morocco, Italy, Germany, and Romania. It is noteworthy that some nationalities, such as Russia, China, and Norway, have reduced their activity levels, partially due to regulatory and tax changes.
As reported by nuevecuatrouno.com.
