The tipping point we predicted has arrived. 2026 started with 7,900 fewer agents than it did last year. Spain’s real estate workforce dropped by 20,800 agents in the last quarter of 2025: an 11% decline from 187,700 mid-year to 166,900 by year-end. That’s one in nine agents gone, even counting the self-employed. This was revealed by the Encuesta de Población Activa (EPA) survey published by […]
The regional government of Andalucia has approved a new registry for residential real estate agents. Its arrival has immediately ignited a debate over a fundamental question: is this a mandatory license or a voluntary badge of quality? The legislation, published in the Official Bulletin of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) on December 24, 2025, aims to regulate a previously unrestricted sector. The law enters into […]
Important regulatory update for real estate professionals operating in Andalucía: the regional government has approved legislation regarding the registration for residential estate agents. Timeline Overview: 2 December 2025 – Law approved Publication in BOJA (Official Bulletin) – 24th December 2025 here Entry into force – One month after BOJA publication – 24th January 2026 Full implementation – Maximum 2 years Key Questions for 2026: As […]
Manilva Council has approved a municipal ordinance that halts the granting of licences for tourist apartments (short-term rental licences) in designated “stressed” areas for three years. The measure aims to improve housing availability for local residents. The suspension covers coastal-edge areas including El Hacho, Puerto de la Duquesa, Los Hidalgos and Princesa Cristina. The council is reviewing whether to extend the suspension to San Luis […]
The Notaries’ report for September shows that home sales in Spain increased by 5 percent compared with the same month last year. A total of 58,845 property transactions were completed. Mortgage lending for housing rose by 11.4 percent, reaching 29,614 loans. This signals stronger access to credit and greater buyer confidence. The average price per square metre reached 1,940 euros, 6.3 percent higher than a […]
Cataluña is considering restricting property purchases to primary residences in areas with high housing demand. This proposal, supported by local authorities including Barcelona City Council, aims to curb speculative buying and ensure housing availability for residents. A legal study commissioned by the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan (PEMB) suggests that such restrictions are legally feasible if applied exceptionally and with clear territorial and temporal limits. The […]
Being self-employed in Spain may suck even more next year… The Spanish government is preparing to raise the Social Security contributions for self-employed workers (autónomos). The increases would range between €11 and 206 per month starting next year. The percentage hikes vary depending on the self-employed person’s income, up to 35 % in some cases. The proposed hikes would affect the 490,717 foreigners who are […]
Non-EU residents renting out property in Spain may now be able to deduct expenses against their rental income. On 28 July 2025, Spain’s Audiencia Nacional (National Court) ruled that this right should extend to non-EU owners, not just EU and EEA residents. What Changed? Non-EU owners were previously taxed at 24% on gross rental income with no deductions. The court ruled this unequal treatment, compared […]
New ruling: foreigners under the so-called “Beckham Law” must pay tax on their primary home in Spain. As I understand it, some courts previously suggested this tax could be avoided, but the Central Tax Tribunal now rules there is no exemption. For estate agents, this affects the total cost for international buyers. High-value clients may see higher annual taxes than expected. Understanding this change helps […]
The municipality of Málaga City has recently introduced a three-year pause on the issuing of new short-term rental licenses. This decision, aimed at addressing housing supply pressures and resident concerns, has direct implications for investors in the wider Costa del Sol market. One immediate consequence is that investors seeking to operate legally in the short-term rental (STR) sector will need to look beyond Málaga City […]