Costa del Sol Buyer Update: Clear Figures, Confident Choices (September 2026)

A Steady, Well-Documented Market

The latest figures from Spain's notaries, covering the second quarter of 2026, show a market that remains healthy and well-supported for buyers. Sales have eased slightly compared with the exceptional pace seen the previous year, but this simply means a calmer, more considered buying environment rather than a cooling one. Prices continue to perform strongly, which is good news if you already own on the coast, and reassuring if you're buying with a medium-to-long-term view in mind.

Looking ahead, BBVA Research's 2026 forecast expects nationwide home sales to soften by 7.3% this year, alongside a 12% rise in prices, largely reflecting how much demand continues to outpace available supply across Spain. For buyers, this simply reinforces the value of working with clear, up-to-date data — exactly what we build into every step of the Costa Meridian process, so there are never any surprises.

British Buyers Remain a Steady Presence

British buyer numbers held firm in the second quarter of 2026, with 1,876 purchases recorded — almost identical to the same period the year before. While the British share of the international market continues to gently decline as buyers from more countries discover Spain, this reflects growing global interest in the market overall rather than any change in how welcoming or accessible the Costa del Sol remains to UK buyers. If you're planning your move here, the fundamentals for British buyers remain solid and well understood.

Costs Made Clear From Day One

A newly launched app and website, CasaTab, is helping buyers across Spain see exactly how purchase-related costs vary by region — useful context given that on a €1m resale property, the difference between regions can reach as much as €65,000. This kind of tool reflects exactly the kind of transparency we believe every buyer deserves: knowing your full costs upfront, clearly laid out, before you commit to anything. It's a trend we're glad to see, and one that fits naturally with how we already guide our clients through every purchase.

A Market Built on Genuine Stability

Some buyers ask us about financial distress in the Spanish market. The most recent figures show mortgage foreclosures have ticked up slightly, but remain at historically low levels — nowhere near the kind of widespread financial strain that would suggest instability. In short, today's market is a fundamentally sound one, built on steady demand rather than distress, which is exactly the kind of environment where a well-guided purchase feels straightforward and safe.

Small Details Matter Too

On a lighter note, new research from property portal pisos.com looked at how much a swimming pool adds to a home's value in Spain, finding that the impact varies considerably depending on location. On the Costa del Sol, where outdoor living is part of daily life, this is a helpful reminder that lifestyle features can genuinely add long-term value — something we're always happy to talk through when weighing up your options.

The Takeaway

The numbers this week tell a reassuring story: a market that remains stable, transparent and full of genuine opportunity for buyers who take a calm, well-informed approach — exactly how buying on the Costa del Sol should feel.