Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Polish purchasers are maintaining a strong presence in Spain’s residential property market, even as overall housing sales show signs of slowing. During the first half of 2026, Polish nationals acquired 2,269 properties, continuing a period of growth that has established Poland among the ten largest sources of international residential demand. Their activity reflects a wider shift in Spain’s housing market, where foreign purchasers are becoming increasingly important despite weaker transaction volumes among domestic buyers.
Figures published by Spain’s Colegio de Registradores show that approximately 48,700 residential transactions were recorded in August 2026, representing a 1.3% increase compared with the same month last year. The improvement followed a difficult July, when sales declined by 7.7% annually to around 60,500 properties. Together, the two months generated approximately 109,200 transactions, around 3% fewer than during the corresponding period of 2025. August was only the second month this year, following June, in which residential purchases exceeded their year-earlier level.
The figures illustrate the uneven conditions facing Spain’s residential market. Although August recorded a modest improvement, it remains too early to determine whether the decline in transaction volumes has ended. The summer months are influenced by seasonal changes in purchasing activity, while regional differences continue to affect market performance. Complete third-quarter statistics, expected in November, will provide a more reliable indication of whether residential demand strengthened during September.
Foreign buyers have continued to increase their participation in the market. During the second quarter of 2026, international purchasers accounted for 15.98% of all registered residential transactions, the highest proportion recorded in the quarterly statistics compiled by the Spanish property registrars. More than 26,800 homes were acquired by foreign nationals during the period, even as total residential sales declined by 2.3% compared with the same quarter in 2025. The figures indicate that international demand has remained comparatively resilient while domestic purchasing activity has weakened.
Polish buyers contributed to this performance, completing 1,126 residential purchases during the first quarter of 2026 and a further 1,143 during the second. The latter figure represented an increase of approximately 1.5% from the preceding quarter and 7.8% compared with the same period last year. Poland remained eighth among foreign nationalities purchasing Spanish residential property, although its share of international transactions declined from 4.61% to 4.33%. The reduction reflects faster growth among other overseas buyer groups rather than a contraction in Polish demand.
The longer-term development of Polish interest in Spanish property has also attracted attention from international media. Research and reporting indicate that Polish participation in Spain’s foreign residential market has expanded considerably since 2019, when buyers from Poland represented approximately 1.6% of international transactions. By 2025, their share had increased to around 4%. The growth suggests that Spanish residential property has become a more established option for Polish households considering overseas ownership, whether for personal use, relocation or investment purposes.
Tatiana Pękala, founder of Dream Property Marbella, believes Polish purchasers are approaching the market with greater preparation and more clearly defined expectations. According to the company’s experience, buyers are increasingly evaluating properties over longer periods and paying closer attention to location, pricing and suitability before committing to a transaction. She expects demand to remain substantial during the autumn, although quarterly results may fluctuate as purchasers respond to changing market conditions.
Rising residential prices represent another important consideration. According to the Colegio de Registradores, Spain’s average transaction price reached €2,487 per sq m during the second quarter of 2026, an annual increase of 9.2%. Higher prices are placing additional pressure on affordability, particularly in established coastal destinations and major metropolitan areas where competition for residential accommodation remains significant. For international purchasers, the relationship between acquisition costs, property quality and long-term ownership expenses is likely to remain an important factor in purchasing decisions.
The forthcoming third-quarter figures will provide the next indication of whether international demand can continue expanding against a background of slower overall sales and rising prices. They will also establish whether Polish purchasers maintained their recent transaction volumes during the summer. While August’s improvement does not yet confirm a broader recovery in Spain’s housing market, the available evidence shows that foreign buyers remain an important source of residential demand, with Polish nationals continuing to play an established role in the country’s international property sector.
