Apartment Barcelona is set to expand its portfolio of apartments for sale to meet the growing demand for property in Catalonia by foreigners.

1. The sale of holiday homes to international buyers revives the real estate
market on the Catalan coast.
More and more non-Spanish residents are
purchasing properties on the coast of
Catalonia. According to recent statistics from
the Spanish Ministry of Development, in the
last year the sale of properties in Catalonia to
foreigners has increased by 22%. Records
show that most are opting for a second home
on the Catalan coast, especially in the city of
Barcelona and the Maresme areas, as well as
the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada.
Apartment Barcelona, a leading short and long-stay rental company based in Barcelona, is now
offering a wide range of apartments for sale in Barcelona to meet this growing industry trend.
The Tripadvisor-recommended agency is increasing its number of properties for sale, both in
the city of Barcelona and in other areas of interest to foreigners such as the Costa Brava, the
Costa Dorada, Sitges and the Catalan Pyrenees.
Russian families: The new buyer profile
While Britons are still the leading property buyers in Spain, the Russian market has seen the
largest increase in the purchase of property in Catalonia, accounting for 8% of the total real
estate sales in the region last year.
A new trend has also been detected in the Russian buyer profile. Previously, purchasing a
second home was reserved for affluent investors. Now, more and more Russian families are
attracted by the competitive pricing of properties along the Mediterranean coast. In
Catalonia, more homes are purchased in the south of the Costa Brava due to its proximity to
the city of Barcelona.
Moreover, demand for property in Catalonia has also risen in the French market, and after the
recent bursting of the property bubble, French citizens have been drawn by the attractive
offers on properties on the Catalan coast.
There has also been a change in the French buyer profile. Whereas previously the most
common buyers were retired French citizens, now many families, especially with young
children, are choosing a second home in Catalonia in which to enjoy the holiday periods.

2. China’s interest in the Spanish property market
China could become a new source of real estate buyers in Spain, according to several experts.
Families and investors alike are said to be attracted by the culture, climate, cuisine and the fact
that Spain has a large Chinese community.
In addition, the Spanish government recently announced that the process of obtaining
residency in Spain could be greatly accelerated for those who purchase property with a value
of more than 160,000 Euros. While this plan is currently stalled, the possibility of a faster
residency application process has proven to be attractive to potential Chinese buyers, who are
also taking into account the competitive pricing of properties in Spain in comparison to those
of many large cities in China.
About Apartment Barcelona
Apartment Barcelona is an online travel company specialising in apartments to rent by days,
weeks, months and years, as well as properties for sale. The company offers a wide variety of
vacation rentals in various locations in central Barcelona, from luxury apartments in Barcelona
to studios, and from beach apartments in Barcelona to apartments near Las Ramblas. For more
information about the company, plus discounts and offers, visit
www.apartmentbarcelona.com.
For more information, contact:
Marina Puig
Marketing and Communications Dept. Apartment Barcelona
marina@apartmentbarcelona.com