In five years, the number of buyers has doubled from just under 2,000 to nearly 4,000. During the first quarter of the year, interest was greater than ever before.

There is no doubt that Spain is popular among Swedes and other Europeans. New figures from the Spanish registry authority Registradores show that 16,833 property transactions were carried out by foreign buyers in the first three months of the year, of which 1,106 were Swedes, which is a record number.

”Throughout 2017, the krona weakened constantly, and we thought that would have an effect, but we haven't seen it. Demand continues now like a snowball effect; neighbours or work colleagues have bought, and then the step becomes shorter,” says Daniel Nilsson, CEO of Fastighetsbyrån Abroad.

The most popular areas are the Costa del Sol, around Malaga and the Costa Blanca, around Alicante. However, almost a third of purchases are made in Madrid and Barcelona.

Previously, the affluent target group was more often of retirement age. But today, many in their 30s and 40s are also buying. Higher incomes and daily, cheaper flights are the main reasons, says Daniel Nilsson.

”Today, our 35–40-year-old customers pack the whole family into a plane and fly down for a long weekend or a half-term holiday. They wouldn't have had the opportunities to do that 15–20 years ago,” he says.

Source: TT