Foreign home buyers in Barcelona drove a significant portion of the city’s highest property transaction volume in 14 years during 2025. Of the 12,960 homes sold across the city last year, international buyers accounted for 23% of the total, representing 3,868 transactions.

This surge in activity comes despite rising property prices. It reflects the growing international demographic of the city, where foreign residents now make up 35.4% of the population. This context is crucial as some reports indicate Catalonia’s housing crisis is set to worsen in 2026. Therefore, official figures show this investment is heavily concentrated in just a few specific areas of the Catalan capital.

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Foreign Home Buyers Barcelona: Concentration in Central Districts

Data from the notarial registry reveals that 57% of all purchases by foreigners occurred in three districts: Ciutat Vella, Eixample, and Sant Martí. Further Barcelona housing market analysis reveals that despite this concentration, the vast majority of property owners in the city hold fewer than five properties. The Eixample district proved the most popular, recording 756 deeds signed by international buyers. Consequently, the Dreta de l’Eixample neighbourhood served as the epicentre for high-purchasing-power investors, registering 204 sales—the highest figure in the recorded series.

Ciutat Vella followed closely with 688 operations. Meanwhile, the Raval neighbourhood stood out within this district, accounting for 286 sales to foreign buyers. While a significant portion of these transactions involves immigrant residents, industry sources indicate that the area retains appeal for investors and expatriates. In addition, Sant Martí matched Eixample’s volume with 756 transactions, driven by demand in Poblenou and new developments in the Besòs i el Maresme area.

Foreign Home Buyers Barcelona: Taxation Debate Intensifies

The concentration of sales has reignited political discussions regarding housing policy. During the Tribuna Immoscòpia forum held last week, Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls addressed the issue directly. Referencing the 23% market share held by foreign buyers, Valls argued for a differentiated taxation system based on the profile of the buyer and the intended use of the property.

The proposal suggests distinguishing between long-term residents, second-home buyers, and pure investors. This debate is also influenced by the recent Spain’s tourist housing decline, which has been impacted by new digital regulations. Therefore, this potential policy shift aims to address the pressure on housing stock in the most in-demand neighbourhoods without stalling the overall market momentum.

Beyond the city centre, other districts are seeing shifting patterns. For example, Sants-Montjuïc registered 457 sales to foreigners, with Poble Sec accounting for 173 of those transactions. Meanwhile, Nou Barris broke its own record with 295 sales, indicating that demand is expanding into areas traditionally less focused on international markets.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, known for having the city’s most expensive prices and a high density of European residents, recorded 160 transactions. Comprehensive statistics on these trends are available via the Portal Estadístico del Notariado, which tracks real estate activity across Spain.

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