While much of Europe and the world grapples with declining real estate investment, Spain is bucking the trend in spectacular fashion. According to the latest Snapshot report by consulting firm Colliers, real estate investment in Spain jumped an impressive 31% up to September 2025, outpacing not only its European neighbors but nearly every major market with 12.9 billion euros invested through the third quarter.
This surge stands in sharp contrast to the European average, which registered a 12.6% drop in real estate investment. Heavyweights like the United Kingdom (-25%), Germany (-10%), and France (-7%) have all seen their markets contract, making Spain’s growth all the more remarkable. Only Sweden managed to keep its investment flow in positive territory with a mild 2% increase, further highlighting Spain’s exceptional performance.
What’s Powering Spain’s Real Estate Boom?
Colliers attributes Spain’s robust growth to a blend of favorable macroeconomic conditions, including stable GDP expansion, a resilient labor market, and vibrant consumer activity. These factors have helped shield the Spanish market from the broader headwinds facing the Eurozone and global real estate sectors.
The momentum is especially visible in three key market segments:
- Residential Real Estate: Investment soared over 99% year-on-year, topping 3 billion euros. Student accommodation led the charge, accounting for 52% of new residential investment, followed by build-to-rent schemes (22%), as demand for flexible housing solutions remains high.
- Hotel Sector: With international tourism rebounding, hotels attracted 2.83 billion euros in investment, a 41% increase from the year before.
- Alternative Assets: This segment saw the greatest growth, with investments skyrocketing 329% year-on-year, and strong interest in sectors like healthcare assets and data centers.
A Global Outlier
Spain’s performance is highly significant within the international context. Across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the EMEA region, the majority of countries saw real estate investment dry up. China, for example, posted a stunning 38% decline, while the U.S. slipped by 3%. Taiwan recorded the most pronounced drop worldwide, at 40%.
The divergence highlights Spain’s unique positioning as both a safe haven and an opportunity market for global investors seeking stability and growth amid widespread uncertainty.
Why Spain is Attracting Investors
Spain’s leadership in European real estate is a result of strategic sector shifts, macroeconomic strength, and proactive development of alternative assets. As the only major European nation to record such a strong year-on-year surge, the country is reinforcing its reputation as the best place in Europe—and perhaps the world right now—for real estate investment.
Investors and industry analysts will be watching closely to see if Spain can sustain this momentum into 2025. For now, the message from Colliers’ new report is clear: Spain is not just surviving the global slowdown—it’s thriving.
