Moroccans are establishing themselves as one of the most active nationalities in the Spanish real estate market. According to recent data, they represent 6.1% of foreign sales, placing themselves just behind the Germans.
During the second quarter of 2024, the online platform Merca2 confirmed that Moroccan buyers continued to play a vital role, representing 6.1% of total foreign sales. This rise in Moroccan investments is part of a broader context, where foreign purchases reach 15% of all real estate transactions in Spain. This figure underlines the growing attractiveness of Spain for international investors, particularly in sunny and tourist regions.
Certain regions, such as the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and the Valencian Community, have particularly attracted foreign buyers. In these areas, non-Spanish buyers represented 33.37%, 31.11% and 28.79% of total sales, respectively. Other nationalities standing out in this market include the French and the Romanians. In contrast, the share of UK buyers, which accounted for 15.77% of foreign buyers in 2014, is expected to fall to 8.37% in 2024. This decline is partly attributed to the impact of Brexit and new residency restrictions. and investment.
The trend of Moroccans leading foreign property purchases in Spain has continued in recent years. In the first half of 2021, they had acquired 5,159 homes, representing 10.8% of total foreign transactions, surpassing the British who had purchased 4,614 (9.7%). Despite their leading position, Moroccans paid the lowest average price per square meter, at €640, followed by Romanians at €967/m² and Ecuadorians at €984/m². In contrast, Swedish buyers paid the highest average prices, reaching €2,768/m²/.
Although foreign property purchases in Spain fell by 7.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2023, some nationalities, including Moroccans, continued to invest heavily. The Russians, for example, increased their acquisitions by 50.2% compared to the previous year, followed by the Ukrainians (41.6%) and the Americans (13.6%).
The regions of Murcia and Catalonia remain popular destinations for foreign investors, attracted by the mild climate and tourist attractions. In 2023, Moroccans continued to stand out in the Spanish real estate market. They ranked second among foreigners in terms of real estate purchases. According to data from the General Council of Notaries of Spain, Moroccans acquired around 4,500 properties during the first half of 2023, thus confirming their privileged position. This investment dynamic highlights the undeniable attractiveness of Spain, where the real estate market continues to evolve in line with global trends, making this space vital for investors from diverse origins.
It should also be noted that the Spanish government has abolished the granting of “golden visas” allowing one to obtain a residence permit if one invests more than half a million euros in real estate. This measure was motivated by the desire to combat speculative investment.
