The Canary Islands have firmly established themselves as one of Spain’s most sought-after destinations for foreign property buyers, whether for permanent relocation, investment, or the purchase of second homes. Over the last ten years, this sustained demand has translated into approximately 90,000 residential purchases by international buyers—equivalent to around 35% of all property transactions across the archipelago.
This figure places the Canary Islands well above the national average. Across Spain as a whole, foreign buyers accounted for just 14.5% of total property purchases during the same period, according to data compiled by institutions such as the Consejo General del Notariado and the Colegio de Registradores de España. The contrast highlights the exceptional weight of international demand in the islands’ real estate market.
A leading destination compared to other coastal regions
Although foreign interest is also strong in other coastal areas of Spain—including the Balearic Islands, Andalusia, Murcia, and the Valencian Community—none match the relative importance of international buyers seen in the Canary Islands.
In the Balearic Islands, foreign purchases account for 28.3% of the total market, followed by the Valencian Community (27.1%) and Murcia (22.3%). Andalusia, despite its size and popularity, records a much lower share at 14.5%. By comparison, the Canary Islands stand out as the region with the highest proportion of foreign ownership, underlining their unique appeal within the national context.
Between 2016 and 2025, a total of 894,483 homes were purchased by foreign buyers across Spain. Of these, roughly one in ten were located in the Canary Islands, reinforcing the archipelago’s position as a key hub for international real estate investment.
Half of foreign buyers are non-residents
A closer look at the data reveals a significant split between foreign buyers who reside in the Canary Islands and those who do not. In the second half of 2025 alone, 3,667 homes were acquired by foreign nationals, of which exactly half (1,843) were purchased by non-residents.
This proportion is notably higher than the national average, where non-resident buyers accounted for 42.7% of foreign transactions over the past decade. The figures highlight the strong interest in the Canary Islands as a destination not only for relocation but also for second-home ownership and investment purposes.
Germans and Italians lead demand
Nationality trends show clear patterns depending on residency status. Among non-resident buyers, Germans represent the largest group, accounting for 20.6% of purchases, followed by Italians at 12.3%.
Among foreign residents already living in the Canary Islands, the situation is reversed: Italian buyers dominate, accounting for 26.2% of purchases, while Germans represent 9.2%. These figures underline the importance of both markets and their differing roles within the property sector.
Higher property prices for foreign buyers
Homes purchased by foreign nationals tend to be significantly more expensive than the regional average. In the most recent data, the average price paid by foreign buyers reached €2,846 per square metre, compared to €2,177 for the Canary Islands overall—an increase of more than 30%.
Prices are also higher when compared with the national average for foreign buyers, which stands at €2,448 per square metre. This suggests that international purchasers in the Canary Islands are often targeting higher-value properties, possibly in prime or tourist-oriented locations.
Market fluctuations and recent trends
Annual data shows that the share of foreign purchases has fluctuated over time, ranging from a peak of 41.7% in 2016 to a low of 30.6% in 2020. In the most recent full year, foreign buyers accounted for 8,302 transactions out of a total of 26,045, representing 31.8% of the market—although this marked a 9% decline compared to the previous year.
Despite this slight drop, the overall trend remains clear: foreign demand continues to play a central role in shaping the Canary Islands’ housing market.
Limited territorial detail
One limitation of the available data is the lack of detailed breakdowns by island or municipality. Official sources do not provide sufficiently granular information to fully assess local dynamics, although it is widely understood that tourist-heavy areas concentrate a significant portion of foreign purchases.
Growing political debate on housing access
The strong presence of foreign buyers has also sparked political debate. One year ago, the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, announced plans to explore a “political and legal” strategy aimed at redefining access to residency and potentially limiting property purchases by non-residents.
During the State of the Nation Debate, he argued that the archipelago should consider negotiating new regulatory frameworks with the Spanish Government and the European Union, similar to measures adopted in other European territories. The objective would be to manage population growth and ease pressure on the local housing market.
For now, however, these proposals remain under discussion, and no concrete measures have yet been implemented.
A market shaped by international demand
Overall, the data confirms that the Canary Islands’ property market is heavily influenced by international buyers. Their presence not only drives demand and prices but also shapes the broader debate around housing availability, affordability, and long-term sustainability in the region.
