Costa del Sol records one of Spain’s highest shares of foreign homebuyers

The Costa del Sol has once again positioned itself as one of the main property hotspots on the Spanish coast. According to the latest report by Pisos.com, based on data from the Spanish Registrars’ Association, 34.3% of home purchases on the Málaga coastline are made by foreign buyers.

This figure places Málaga among the coastal provinces with the strongest international demand, behind Alicante, where foreign buyers represent 44.65% of transactions, and ahead of the Balearic Islands, with 28.89%.

International demand continues to shape the market

Foreign interest in the Costa del Sol is not new, but the figures confirm that it remains a decisive factor in the residential market. Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís, Mijas, Fuengirola and Málaga city are part of a coastline that combines climate, connectivity, services, luxury housing, golf, marinas, gastronomy and Mediterranean lifestyle.

This demand comes from a wide range of profiles: second-home buyers, investors, international retirees, remote workers and families looking to spend long periods in the province.

Costa del Sol sees Spain’s highest price increase in five years

The report also links this strong buying pressure to rising property prices. According to the figures released, the Costa del Sol is the Spanish coastline where average prices have increased the most over the last five years, with a rise of 73.14%.

In absolute terms, the average price has gone from €280,497 in 2021 to €485,645 in 2026, reflecting the intensity of the revaluation in one of Spain’s most pressured coastal property markets.

An attractive market, but increasingly difficult for local buyers

The rise in foreign purchases reinforces the Costa del Sol’s position as an international residential destination, but it also fuels the debate about access to housing for local residents.

Higher prices, limited supply in certain areas and the appeal of housing as an investment are making it harder for many residents to buy. In municipalities with the strongest tourism and residential pressure, the gap between local purchasing power and part of the international demand has become one of the market’s main challenges.

Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís remain key areas of international interest

Although the trend affects the Málaga coastline as a whole, foreign demand is especially visible in the so-called golden triangle of the Costa del Sol: Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís.

These municipalities concentrate much of the high-end residential product, including villas, exclusive developments, gated communities and homes aimed at international buyers. Other coastal areas are also gaining traction thanks to their balance between price, location and quality of life.

The Spanish coast remains a residential safe haven

The trend is not limited to Málaga. The report shows that the Spanish coastline continues to be one of the main destinations for foreign home purchases, especially along the Mediterranean and in the islands.

Alicante, Málaga and the Balearic Islands lead the ranking by share of international buyers, while northern provinces such as Lugo, A Coruña and Pontevedra show much lower percentages.

A future challenge for the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol benefits from international demand that drives investment, real estate activity and employment linked to the sector. However, the sharp rise in prices also raises the need to balance external appeal, economic growth and housing access for those who live and work in the province.

The challenge lies in increasing supply, improving urban planning, strengthening affordable housing and preventing the international success of the destination from pushing part of the local population out of the market.

📍 Main area: Costa del Sol.
🏠 Key figure: 34.3% of property purchases are made by foreign buyers.
📊 Source: Spanish Registrars’ Association and Pisos.com.
💶 Average price in 2026: €485,645.
📈 Five-year increase: 73.14%.
🌍 Leading provinces: Alicante, Málaga and the Balearic Islands.
⚠️ Main challenge: balancing international demand with local access to housing.

The information comes from the article published by Málaga Hoy and data released by Pisos.com based on figures from the Spanish Registrars’ Association.