Poles are buying houses in Spain en masse. “They are looking for a safe haven”

Spain apparently still doesn’t eat too much of Poles. What’s more, the Polish assault on the local real estate market is clearly accelerating. This can be seen in the statistics. From January to March 2026, our compatriots bought 1,126 properties in Spain – by 12.8%. more than a year earlier and as much as nearly 41 percent. more than in 2024 – according to the latest data from the Registradores de España.

Poles have already moved up to 8th place among foreign investors buying real estate in Spain. The trend is also noticed by the Spanish media. “El Economista” points out that the war in Ukraine contributed to the increased interest in Spain as a second home for Poles. In turn, “Diario Sur” reports that in the largest municipalities of the province of Malaga – including: in Marbella and Fuengirola – Poles are already among the top five foreign buyers.

We talk to Agnieszka Marciniak-Kostrzewa, founder of Agnes Inversiones – the largest and oldest Polish real estate agency on the Costa del Sol, about why we are so fond of Spain, how much you have to spend on real estate today and where it is best to buy.

Beata Anna Święcicka, “WPROST”: Poles do not give up the sun of Spain. We buy more and more there, why?

Agnieszka Marciniak-Kostrzewa, founder of Agnes Inversiones: Over the last 10 years, Polish buyers have tripled their share of the real estate market in Spain.

In absolute numbers, this means thousands of houses, villas and apartments – over 16.7 thousand. over the last five years.

Poles’ preferences and motivations for purchasing real estate on the Costa del Sol and in Spain in general are increasingly related to the search for a safe haven. Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this will probably be even more visible in the coming quarters.

How much money do you need to have today to realistically think about buying a property in Spain?

In the case of Costa del Sol, Polish investors are most often looking for properties at prices from PLN 450,000. up to EUR 1.5 million. Apartments are available from approximately PLN 350,000. euro, which corresponds to the purchase price of an apartment, e.g. in Warsaw. Of course, there is basically no upper limit, especially when it comes to the most luxurious villas.

Once we have the capital, the next question arises – where is the best place to buy today?

Polish and international buyers are dominated by seaside locations – the Costa del Sol, i.e. the Coast of the Sun, and the Costa Blanca. The Costa del Sol is one of the most diverse and attractive regions in Southern Europe. Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountain range, it offers over 320 sunny days a year, mild winters and warm summers. In addition, there is great infrastructure, high level of education and medical care, and dream conditions for playing golf – hence the nickname “Costa del Golf”. It is also worth mentioning the convenient connections with Poland thanks to the airport in Malaga, gradually developed, among others. by LOT.

What should Poles especially pay attention to when buying real estate in Spain? What most often surprises buyers?

The most important thing is to specify your expectations, not only in the financial context. It should be remembered that the offer prices – visible e.g. on portals – must include transaction costs, including VAT. They range from 8 to 13 percent. value of the property – depending on whether we buy it on the secondary or primary market. Of course, the purpose of purchasing the property is key – whether it is to be a first or second home, or an investment.

Short-term rentals in Spain were restricted last year, which also drives Polish buyers towards commercial properties.

Secondary market or new investments? What do Poles choose more often today?

In the case of purchasing for our own needs, we can choose from the secondary market, i.e. existing houses and apartments – often in better locations and with the possibility of price negotiation, but which may require renovation or modernization. In turn, the primary market consists largely of “off-the-plan” properties, which means waiting time for acceptance – e.g. one or two years. At the same time, we gain additional amenities and, of course, there is no need to carry out additional work, e.g. renovation. In order to carry out the entire purchase process efficiently, it is important to choose an experienced agent or real estate agency and a local lawyer or law firm with excellent knowledge of Spanish realities.

Thank you for the interview.