Interested in buying a property in Spain’s region of Catalonia but would rather it not be in Barcelona? Here are the areas most popular with foreigners and the prices you can expect to pay.
While places like Alicante, the Balearics and Málaga are some of the most popular areas for foreigners to buy a property in Spain, the northeastern region of Catalonia is up there and is still attracting both foreign residents and non-residents.
According to data from the Spanish Land Registry, in the Catalan province of Girona, 24.8 percent of property purchases were by foreigners in the fourth quarter of 2025, while in Tarragona it was 16.11 percent.
Given its popularity with foreigners, however, means it’s also one of the most expensive regions to to buy in Spain. A study by the Barcelona Property Chamber reveals that foreigners spend more per square metre than Spaniards. In the first half of 2025, the average price paid by foreign buyers was €2,417/m² , while Spanish buyers paid an average price of €1,809/m².
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The Costa Brava town of Roses (within the province of Girona) came out on top, where a whopping 70 percent of purchases were by foreigners. A total 87 percent of these were non-residents, reflecting the fact that the town is strongly linked to the holiday home market.
According to Costa Brava estate agency Global Immo, the most sought-after areas for buying property in Roses are Santa Margarita, Puig Rom, Canyelles, Almadraba, and the town centre.
Most of these are near the beaches and canals, which is what most people want when it comes to a holiday home.
Data from property portal Idealista shows that the price per square metre in Roses in March 2026 is €3,246/m2. This is 7.3 percent more that it was during the same month in 2025.
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In second place is where the artist Salvador Dalí also bought his summer home – the white coastal town of Cadaqués, close to the border with France. Here, 54 percent of purchases were made by foreigners. A total of 21 percent were residents, while 79 percent were non-residents.
Idealista shows that the price per square metre in Cadaqués in March 2026 is €6,871/m2, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to March last year.
Of course, the Catalan capital of Barcelona hasn’t been forgotten and is still perennially popular among foreign buyers, as it comes in third place. Here, data shows that 33 percent of homes were bought by foreigners. Idealista data reveals that buying a property in the city will set you back on average price of €5,221/m2, one of the most expensive places in the country.
The city of Girona also attracts foreigners, accounting for 15 percent of purchases. In this case, 86 percent are residents, compared to 14 percent who are non-residents. The city is known for its historic medieval centre and proximity to some of the region’s best areas for cycling. Although it’s the only place in the top four that isn’t near the coast, it’s just a half an hour drive from some of the nearest beaches.
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The Costa Brava in general, stretching from the town of Blanes all the way up to the border with France, also remains popular with foreign buyers. According to Aquí Lujo Internacional real estate agents, the Costa Brava is generally one of the areas where foreigners tend to invest most heavily in property purchases. Both the top places of Roses and Cadaqués are located there, but other popular spots include Begur and L’Estartit.
These towns tend to attract French, Swiss, and others from central Europe as they’re home to luxury properties located in protected natural areas. The area’s proximity to France and the rest of the European continent also makes it attractive to foreigners.
