Buying property in Catalonia

Occupying a triangle of land between the France and the Mediterranean, Catalonia is close to twice the size of Wales and is home to over eight million people.

With the Costa Brava, the mountains and foothills of the Pyrenees and such wonderful cities as Barcelona, Catalonia has wide appeal. It is beautiful to look at, sporty and cultural, birthplace of Dali and hoe to some of the best restaurants in the world.

Catalonia has a long history of peacefully campaigning for independence but remains one of Spain’s autonomous regions, divided into four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona.

Why buy property in Catalonia

From the bustling streets of Barcelona to affordable rural towns to the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava, Catalonia offers international buyers an exciting array of places to buy.

Is a property in Catalonia a good investment?

Property prices in Catalonia are the most expensive in Spain, averaging close to €4,500 per square metre against a national average of €2,800 (2023 figures).

House prices in Spain generally have risen slowly but steadily since a correction at the start of the pandemic in 2020. In Catalonia that included a 3.5% rise in 2023 according to Spain’s official data. New build homes were the star, rising by 7.9% and 3% for existing properties.

Catalonian hotspots like Barcelona, the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada have investment potential for international buyers. Properties close to the beach (or just well-connected) earn a good return in the summer months, but due to the Catalonian coastline being slightly cooler than the southern coastline, the holiday season will be a little shorter.

However, short-term rentals are being banned from Barcelona by 2030 and other areas may also clamp down.

As well as high prices, in Catalonia purchase tax is levied at 10% for a resale property sold for under a million euros and at 11% over a million. This is one of the highest purchase taxes of Spain’s autonomous regions.

For those anxious about the high temperatures that southern Spain has endured in recent years, a property in Catalonia might suit better, as the seasons are more defined, and the heat is tamer.

The weather will be very different in the mountains than on the coast, but at sea level you can expect summer temperatures reaching 30°C. Expect some chilly days in winter with the occasional frosty morning and snow even at lower levels. In general, though, a winter day is more likely to be mild.  

Where to buy property in Catalonia

Barcelona

Many international buyers are drawn to the vibrant Catalonian capital. With its mix of Gothic and Gaudí architecture, UNSECO World Heritages and galleries, Barcelona is a cultural hotspot. It is super walkable with great public transport connections. And to top it off, the city has its own beautiful beaches. The city has an expat population of 20%, increasing to 50% in the Old City. Barcelona is the most expensive place to buy a property and the cost of living is highest in Catalonia, however, it is little less pricey than Madrid.

Costa Brava

Without a doubt, the Costa Brava is one of Spain’s most beautiful coastlines, certainly from Sant Feliu de Guixols up to the French border. This area is known as the Empordà and is divided into two, Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà. The coast here has not suffered much from overbuilding and high-rise apartments.

The Gulf of Roses is one of the more popular areas for anyone wanting to enjoy a beachside lifestyle, with popular towns among its coastline including Roses itself, Empuriabrava – particularly popular among tourists, so it can be quieter in winter – and Sant Marti d’Empuries. At the south of the gulf is L’Escala, a traditional Catalan fishing town.

Calella de Palafrugell is particularly picturesque, with whitewashed homes backing up against its sandy beaches. It’s a great place for diving fans, and also has easy access to five golf courses. Lloret de Mar, easily accessed from Barcelona, has a charming old town, some fantastic new-build properties and plenty of sandy beaches.

Costa Durada

The coast towards the south of Catalonia is actually the Costa Durada (in Castillian Spanish, Costa Dorada, although just to confuse you further it is also known as the Costa de Barcelona). Whatever, it’s beautiful! The name means the Golden Coast and the golden sand certainly shimmers in the sunshine.

Seaside highlights include Sitges, Cunit and Salou, plus attractive fishing villages like Sant Carles de la Rapita. Inland highlights include Tortosa. You can see the ancient history of this area – not so far across the Mediterranean, after all, from Rome – in cities like Tarragona.

Inland Catalonia

The Collsacabra Mountains of inland Catalonia

Catalonia hasn’t just got a pretty coastline. Inland is another world of delightful stone villages steeped in history. Practically all ancient peoples settled here including the Greeks, Romans, Moors and even the Vikings. It’s still just as popular with northern Europeans, especially those who love the outdoors.

La Cerdanya

This is a beautiful region of Catalonia which lies in the Pyrenees. It is an all-seasons, all-weather area. There is skiing in the winter and hiking, rafting, paragliding and much else in the summer. Lying by the French border, it shares much in common with its Gallic neighbour and is quite unspoilt by excessive tourism or building. La Molina is a ski resort popular with families, many of whom come for the day from Girona or Barcelona. Après-ski is not as sophisticated as some of the French ski resorts but you will find the locals friendly and welcoming. 

Catalonia’s property market

Property types and prices differ greatly from inland to the coastline. In rural areas, you can purchase a rustic farm with generous land for as little as €60,000. Rural properties are perfect those looking for mountain views and the peace and quiet of village life. If you want to be by the sea on a smaller budget, then you’ll need around €120,000 for a one-to-two bedroom apartment. In the heart of Barcelona, property prices are at their highest, with €250,000 being the starting price for a small apartment. Over in the medieval city of Girona, you could buy a similar apartment for €170,000.

How to get to Catalonia

Catalonia has four main airports: Barcelona (El Prat Airport), Tarragona (Reus Airport), Lleida (Lleida-Algurie Airport) and Girona (Girona/Costa Brava Airport). The best connected of these is El Prat, it is the second largest airport in Spain, with flights to all European capitals and some long-haul, including direct flights from Miami and New York. Flight time from London to Barcelona is around two hours.

You can travel to Catalonia in one day from London by train via Paris or Lille or drive from a Channel port in around 12 hours.

Steps to buy property in Catalonia

1. Search online:  Determine what you can buy for your budget, as well as a list of features you would like in a home (close proximity to the beach or golf, mountain or sea views).  You may want to narrow down your search to specific towns (Costa Brava, Barcelona, Girona).
2. Form a team of experts. Once you have chosen a handful of properties that tick your boxes, reach out to an estate agent. They will be able to talk through the area and what you are looking for in a home in greater detail. You will also need an English-speaking lawyer to ensure that the purchase is legally secure. Plus, a currency specialist like Smart Currency Exchange can help you to transfer your budget over to Catalonia. You may also want to connect with a financial advisor and a mortgage specialist.
3. Book a viewing trip. Once you have your team in place, head out to Catalonia to see your pick of properties. If you haven’t narrowed down to a specific town, check the journey times between each home, it’s quite a large area! If you find a home that ticks your boxes, then reconnect with your professional team and make an offer.
4. Once you have made an offer: If the seller accepts your offer, you will sign a reservation contract and pay a fee to take it off the market. While surveys are not the norm in Spain, many international buyers prefer to have one, so you will easily be able to find an experienced professional in Catalonia to complete one. Then, you will sign and pay the deposit, around 10% of the purchase price. As you’ve now committed to buying your dream Catalonia home, lock in your exchange rate to ensure that you do not lose out on thousands. Meanwhile, your lawyer will contact the notary to ensure the legality of the sale.
5. Hold the keys in your hand: You will need to sign the sale contract, escritura pública at the notary’s office. Finally, pay the balance of the purchase price, minus the deposit you have paid. You must also pay the relevant taxes (ITP), stamp duty, notary fees and legal fees.