Home purchases in Spain by U.S. citizens rose 3% last year, even as total foreign purchases dipped, with real estate agents citing concerns over President Donald Trump's policies as one of the reasons behind growing American demand. In a market long-dominated by Britons and northern Europeans seeking refuge from harsher climates on Spain's sunny beaches and plains, buyers from the United States have made a tangible entry in the past decade.
The direct flights between New York and Palma (which launch shortly for the summer season) have helped bring U.S. house buyers to Mallorca. Local estate agents have reported a significant increase in interest for island from American buyers.
Top Locations for American Buyers:
Malaga / Costa del Sol: The most popular area, catering to US buyers looking for luxury apartments, golf courses, and coastal properties in areas like Marbella.
Madrid: A top destination for urban properties and investment opportunities.
Barcelona: Remains a primary choice for Americans seeking a mix of city life and beach access.
Balearic Islands (Mallorca): Significant interest in high-end, luxury homes and rural retreats.
Foreign buyers made about 19% of all Spanish home purchases in 2025, with Americans accounting for 2% of the total, according to data on Thursday from Spain's General Council of Notaries. U.S. buyers were particularly active in the high-end segment.
While Britons remained the largest group of foreign buyers at around 8% of the total, their purchases declined 16% over the past six years, contrasting with a tripling of deals by U.S. buyers during the same period.
The increase in U.S. purchases in Spain comes at a time of growing discord between Washington and Madrid. Leftist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has become one of the most vocal Western critics of the Trump administration's foreign policies, calling the war on Iran illegal and reckless and closing Spanish airspace to U.S. planes involved in the strikes.
Trump has vowed to retaliate against Real estate experts cited anecdotal evidence of buyers seeking a permanent escape or backup plan in the wake of Trump's policies, including his clampdown on immigration, with Spain drawing particular interest from Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens of Latin American origin.
"The growth of the U.S. market is particularly significant because of its size," said Fernando Rodriguez de Acuna, general director of Madrid-based real estate analysis firm Acuna. "Many Americans have recently chosen to relocate to cities such as Madrid or Valencia for political reasons, and because they see them as safer places where they can walk their children to school," he said.