Market Shift: Non-Resident Foreigners Now Selling More Property Than They Buy in Catalonia

French and Italian investors are pulling back from the Barcelona market due to high prices and regulations.

Generic image of a for sale sign on a balcony overlooking Barcelona's Eixample district.
IA

Generic image of a for sale sign on a balcony overlooking Barcelona's Eixample district.

The real estate market in Catalonia has reached a turning point in 2025, as non-resident foreigners accounted for 4.94% of sales compared to only 3.95% of purchases.

According to data from the Notarial Statistical Portal, the era of the foreign 'speculator' in Barcelona is fading. While French and Italian citizens remain active, they are increasingly buying as residents rather than investors. In the city of Barcelona, non-resident purchases have dropped from 8.11% in 2013 to just 4.99% last year.

"The problem in Catalonia is the need to build massively to cover all demands."

Carles Sala · APCE Technical Deputy Secretary
Industry experts suggest that high property prices and new rental regulations are driving this divestment. This trend could lead to a stabilization of prices in high-end areas like Passeig de Gràcia, as the pressure from wealthy international buyers begins to ease.