Spain’s residential market is at a crossroads marked by the rise of a new foreign buyer set to become a key driver of resort property sales. The market is gaining fresh momentum, fuelled by a more diverse, informed and discerning clientele. According to CaixaBank Research, this new audience is expected to reach record levels in 2025 and is generating renewed interest in high-end resort properties. Their motivation extends beyond the purchase of a second home by the sea: they want to invest in lifestyle, security and long-term asset value.
The latest data from CaixaBank Research also shows foreign buyers acquired around 133,000 homes in Spain over the past year, representing nearly 18% of all transactions. Almost half of these corresponded to non-residents who, while maintaining the traditional interest in coastal locations, are now setting even higher standards and approaching property as a strategic investment.
The average price per square metre paid by non-resident foreign buyers stood at approximately €3,000, significantly above the national average, highlighting their focus on the premium segment. While the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands remain the main sources of foreign demand, an increasing share now comes from Northern and Eastern Europe, led by Poland and the Scandinavian markets. This commitment to quality naturally encourages the acquisition of professionally managed, distinctive real estate, with buyers looking for not only personal enjoyment but also medium- to long-term returns.
Resorts: A Prime Market Segment
The opportunity is clear. The research by CaixaBank identifies non-resident foreign buyers as a major force driving demand, combining strong purchasing power with a preference for unique, high-quality destinations. Yet challenges remain: the need for distinctive products, regulatory compliance, residential services tailored to international lifestyles, and the diversification of locations beyond saturated areas.
Within this landscape, established residential resorts occupy a privileged position. They offer precisely what this audience seeks: coastal locations, an international community, high-end residential services, and, increasingly, properties with integrated management. From the perspective of Arum Group, known for the development and management of residential resorts, such projects represent a natural response to the growing international appetite for quality and lifestyle-led real estate. Examples include La Manga Club in Murcia, set amid golf courses and leisure surroundings, and Abama Resort Tenerife, located in a premium natural environment combining privacy, exclusivity and design.
In this context, the presence of an operational resort and hotel infrastructure, already adopted by an international community, adds value, trust and visibility to the residential assets. The non-resident buyer no longer seeks property alone, but an integrated lifestyle featuring access to professional services, assured management, and the flexibility to let or occupy the property as needed.
Understanding this evolving profile requires adapting property concepts to international markets by equipping properties with smart automations, building them in privileged resort settings, and offering access to social clubs and leisure amenities. Residences that offer dual use as private homes and managed rentals are increasingly attractive. In this sense, branded residences and residential communities with hotel or professional management are emerging as the natural evolution of the resort model.
Moreover, established resorts bring history, reputation and a community with them, factors that significantly reduce perceived risk for international buyers. In a market where global visibility, multichannel marketing and value-added propositions are as critical as location, these resorts enjoy a competitive advantage.
The message is clear and compelling: the combination of a great location, a recognized brand, complementary services and an international community is no longer a niche preference but a defining expectation for the modern foreign buyer investing in Spain. Resort property sales are poised to play a leading role in the next phase of market growth.
