Does the prospect of living in sunny Spain appeal to you? Are you interested in holiday rentals or looking for a real estate investment property? Property ownership in sunny Spain continues to tempt domestic and foreign buyers alike, given the country’s attractive aspects. España offers 325 days of sun per year, picturesque coastal scenery and a laid-back lifestyle that many other nations can’t compete with.
Due to these enticing benefits and more, Spain’s property market is thriving, but is it a good time to buy property in Spain? This blog explains all you need to know, so continue reading to find out more from our Spanish mortgage specialists.
Understanding the Spanish real estate market
In the prime and more attractive destinations, such as Malaga, Marbella and Madrid, the Spanish property market continues to be strong. Appealing mortgage rates and strong demand have helped to create these advantageous market conditions. Here’s a more in-depth look at the current situation:
- The average new home mortgage has an interest rate of 3.08% (INE, August 2026).
- Interest from international buyers is at a record high, with foreign buyers accounting for 15.98% of all home sales in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, and more than a third in Malaga and Alicante.
- Potential buyers can expect high property prices due to house supply issues and fierce competition for properties, with house prices up 12.2% year on year in the second quarter of 2026.
How foreign investment is influencing the Spanish property market
Interest from overseas property buyers in Spain remains high. According to the Colegio de Registradores (Spanish Land Registry), foreign buyers accounted for 37.01% of home purchases in Malaga province, home of the Costa del Sol, during the second quarter of 2026.
Foreign demand was led by British buyers, closely followed by Dutch and German buyers.
When not to buy a home in Spain
Our experts have found that the summer months tend to be the least favourable time to buy property in Spain, although this can change depending on the state of the market.
From April to August, many properties in busy tourist areas like the Costa del Sol are unavailable, so there is far less to choose from. Prices also rise, driven by high demand for holiday homes and rental properties at a time when supply is low.
That doesn’t make these months wasted time. They’re a good window for research: getting to know the areas you like, meeting local estate agents and viewing a few homes, so you’re ready to act when the market quietens down.
The best time of year to buy property in Spain
The autumn months are considered a good time to buy property in Spain. Once the summer rush is over and families turn their attention to the new school year, fewer buyers are active, so there is less competition for homes in your favourite mainland or coastal areas.
Housing demand is lower outside the tourist season, which works in your favour. Some sellers may even offer discounts or more attractive prices if they want a quick sale, making autumn a particularly appealing time to buy.
Why the shoulder season is the best time for a viewing trip
The shoulder season is the period between a destination’s high and low tourist seasons. In Spain, that’s roughly April to June, before the summer holidays, and September to October, after the schools go back.
Both windows fit around the buying calendar above. A spring trip lets you research areas and view properties before summer competition peaks. An autumn trip lands just as demand falls, so you can view homes and make an offer in the same visit.
Cheaper flights and accommodation
Flights and accommodation are generally cheaper in the shoulder season because fewer people are travelling. If you’re likely to need more than one trip before you buy, or want to stay long enough to view several properties, the savings add up.
Fewer crowds and easier viewings
With fewer tourists and buyers around, it’s usually easier to arrange viewings and spend proper time at each property. You’ll also avoid long queues at restaurants and attractions, leaving more of your trip for the reason you came.
See the area as residents do
In winter, some attractions and businesses in tourist areas close for the off-season. In summer, you see a town at its busiest. Spring and autumn sit in between, giving you a more realistic picture of everyday life, which is a better guide to what living in an area, or letting a property there, will actually be like.
Comfortable weather for viewings
Summer temperatures of 30°C and above make a day of back-to-back viewings hard going. Spring and autumn are still sunny but milder, so you can walk around neighbourhoods and explore an area properly before you commit.
Where to view property in the shoulder season
Our team knows southern Spain’s property hotspots well. These are some of the best places to view homes on and around the Costa del Sol during spring and autumn.
Málaga
Málaga has grown into one of Spain’s most in-demand cities, with a thriving cultural scene, a busy international airport and a lively port area. A shoulder season visit lets you explore neighbourhoods on foot, from the historic centre around the Alcazaba to the beaches of Pedregalejo, without the summer heat and crowds. Find out more about Málaga as a business destination.
Marbella
Marbella offers everything from apartments in the Old Town to villas on the Golden Mile and around Puerto Banús. In peak summer, prices, traffic and crowds can give a distorted picture. Viewing in spring or autumn shows you how each area feels for most of the year, which matters whether you plan to live there or let the property.
Estepona
West of Marbella, Estepona has a charming old town known for its flower-lined streets, along with a long promenade and a growing number of new-build developments. It’s quieter than Marbella, and a shoulder season trip gives you time to compare frontline beach properties with homes further up the hills.
Benahavís
Just inland from the coast, Benahavís is home to some of the Costa del Sol’s most exclusive gated communities, golf resorts and hillside villas. Milder weather makes it far easier to explore the area and view large properties with gardens and plots. Read more about financing a home in Benahavís.
Mijas and Fuengirola
These neighbouring towns offer two very different lifestyles: the whitewashed hillside village of Mijas Pueblo, and the beachfront town of Fuengirola, which is linked to Málaga by train. Visiting outside the summer peak gives you a fairer idea of year-round life, especially in areas popular with holidaymakers.
Seville
The capital of Andalusia is famously hot in summer, which makes it hard to explore on foot. In the shoulder season, you can walk the neighbourhoods around landmarks like the Real Alcázar and Plaza de España and get a real feel for where you’d want to live.
Tips to get the best deal anytime
Keep an eye on the property market conditions
While seasonal trends are fairly accurate and predictable, it’s still important to monitor the Spanish property market when considering property investment. Real estate market conditions may change, impacting house prices and interest rates.
Speak to a financial expert about the buying process
If you aren’t too familiar with the Spanish property market and want to ensure you’re getting the best deal, speaking to a seasoned financial expert is essential. Mortgage brokers such as ourselves are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of Spain’s economy, the local real estate market and the Spanish mortgage process, so you can relax knowing your investment is safe.
Interested in finding out more about Spanish mortgages?
If you’re considering more than just a flying visit to Spain and are looking to relocate, we can use our connections and rich experience to get the best possible Spanish mortgage deal for you.
Eager to speak to a team of mortgage specialists who offer the very best professional advice? Our team of UK-qualified financial advisers (FPC) and mortgage professionals (CeMAP) is here to simplify the process of securing a Spanish mortgage for property purchases, guiding you through each step with tailored advice to suit your unique needs and circumstances so you can make informed, confident decisions.
If you’re looking to buy property in Spain, call us today on +34 952 85 36 47 or get in touch online using our handy message form. We’ll respond to your enquiry promptly so you don’t miss out on your dream home in the sun.
Does the prospect of living in sunny Spain appeal to you? Are you interested in holiday rentals or looking for a real estate investment property? Property ownership in sunny Spain continues to tempt domestic and foreign buyers alike, given the country’s attractive aspects – España offers 325 days of sun per year, picturesque coastal scenery and a laid-back lifestyle that many other nations can’t compete with.
Due to these enticing benefits and more, Spain’s property market is thriving – but is it a good time to buy property in Spain? This blog explains all you need to know, so continue reading to find out more from our Spanish mortgage specialists.
