Spain continues to top the list for British overseas property hunters, with new data showing a sharp rise in UK search activity despite political efforts in Madrid to curb foreign investment.
Research by Enness Global analysing Google search trends between January 2024 and December 2025 found that average UK search interest for the term “Buying in Spain” jumped 68.9 per cent in 2025 compared with the previous year.
Searches for “Holiday home Spain” rose by 66.1 per cent over the same period, underlining sustained appetite for second homes and lifestyle-led relocations.
The data suggests British buyers remain undeterred by mounting political rhetoric aimed at cooling overseas demand in Spain’s housing market.
The analysis also highlights where international buyers are focusing their attention. Andalusia accounts for 52.5 per cent of available listings marketed to overseas purchasers, followed by Valencia at 22.8 per cent.
The Balearic Islands represent 8.5 per cent of stock, while Murcia accounts for 8 per cent. Catalonia holds 3.8 per cent and the Canary Islands 2.6 per cent.
Together, these coastal regions dominate the international market, reflecting enduring demand for Mediterranean climates, beach access and established expatriate communities.
The surge in search interest comes against a backdrop of growing political pressure within Spain to rein in foreign ownership.
In April 2025, the Spanish government abolished its so-called Golden Visa scheme, which had granted residency to non-EU nationals investing at least €500,000 in property.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also floated the idea of imposing a 100 per cent tax on property purchases by non-EU residents, alongside proposals to restrict purchases to those who live and work in Spain.
However, no firm timeline has been announced for such measures, and analysts note that Sánchez’s minority coalition government may struggle to implement sweeping changes. Any attempt to introduce a 100 per cent levy could also face legal challenges, given Spain’s constitutional prohibition on confiscatory taxation.
For now, the political uncertainty appears to have done little to dent British interest.
With the pound stabilising and lifestyle migration remaining popular among UK buyers, Spain’s appeal as a second-home and retirement destination shows little sign of fading, even as policymakers seek to cool its red-hot housing market.
