While property sales in Spain are showing signs of moderation, international buyers continue to move in the opposite direction.
During the first half of 2026, foreign buyers purchased around 51,630 homes in Spain, 3.8% more than during the same period last year. Overall, they now account for approximately 14.9% of all residential property transactions carried out in the country during those six months.
This contrast is particularly significant because it comes at a time when the domestic market is showing a slight slowdown: between January and June, 346,030 property sales were recorded, 1.9% fewer than a year earlier.
These figures once again highlight the importance of international buyers to the Spanish property sector and, in particular, to estate agencies operating in the country's main coastal areas.
Alicante attracts international interest like few other areas
The Mediterranean coast and the islands remain the favourite destinations for international buyers looking to purchase a home in Spain.
The Balearic Islands, Valencian Community, Canary Islands, Region of Murcia, Catalonia and Andalusia record some of the highest proportions of foreign buyers. However, when the figures are analysed by province, Alicante once again stands out clearly from the rest.
During the first six months of 2026, foreign buyers accounted for 45.5% of all property transactions in the province of Alicante, with more than 11,340 purchases. Málaga followed with 35.7%.
This means that almost one in every two homes sold in Alicante during this period was purchased by a foreign buyer.
For estate agencies across the Costa Blanca, targeting the international market can no longer be seen simply as an additional source of leads. The figures show that it represents a fundamental part of the demand in the province.
Dutch buyers are closing the gap on British buyers
The balance between different nationalities is also changing.
British buyers continue to hold the top position, purchasing more than 3,510 homes during the first half of 2026. However, Dutch buyers are increasingly close behind, with more than 3,430 transactions.
Moroccan and German buyers also exceeded 3,000 purchases, while there is also a significant presence of buyers from Romania, Italy, France, Poland and Belgium.
Overall, citizens of the European Union account for almost 58% of transactions carried out by foreign buyers during this period.
This is particularly relevant for estate agencies already working across different languages and European markets.
International buyers remain crucial for Costa Blanca estate agencies
The figures for the first half of the year leave one conclusion clear: even at a time when overall property sales are moderating, international demand continues to grow.
For an estate agency in Alicante or across the Costa Blanca, understanding these markets, communicating with buyers in their own languages and knowing how potential clients search for property can become a significant competitive advantage.
And much of this process begins long before the buyer arrives in Spain.
A Dutch, British, German, Belgian or French buyer may discover an estate agency from their home country, browse dozens of properties, compare different areas and request information without having visited the Costa Blanca yet.
That is why an estate agency targeting international buyers also needs a digital presence designed with them in mind: a fast website available in multiple languages, properly optimised for search engines and capable of presenting properties and areas in a professional way.
At Mediaelx Real Estate Solutions, we develop Web + CRM solutions for estate agencies specifically designed to help attract these domestic and international buyers.
Because if a significant proportion of your clients are searching for property from another country, your estate agency also needs to be ready to reach them there.
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