What has changed
In the first quarter of 2026, real estate transactions by foreigners in Spain overall fell by 13% compared to the same period in 2025, with 62,327 total purchases recorded. However, in the province of Alicante, the situation remains striking for Algerians. According to data from the General Council of Notaries reported by several media outlets, Algerians made 104 acquisitions in the city of Alicante in the first quarter of 2026, representing a progression compared to 439 transactions in 2025. This position places them first among foreign nationalities buying real estate in the municipality of Alicante, ahead of Ukrainians (62), Italians (47), Dutch (27), and British (25).
Average prices for homes acquired by foreigners in Spain continued to rise, reaching €2,644 per square meter, a 9.4% increase year-on-year. Algerian investments are mainly concentrated in older apartments of around 75 to 80 m², with an average budget ranging from 85,000 to 125,000 euros. This range corresponds to the accessible segment of the urban residential market, far from coastal villas and high-end properties favored by certain European buyers.
Why it matters
Alicante maintains its position as the main international real estate hub in Spain, recording 6,557 homes acquired by foreigners in the first quarter of 2026. The Algerian presence is part of a broader context of migration and cross-border investment, with an Algerian community in the province of Alicante estimated between 16,000 and 17,000 residents — about a quarter of all Algerians recorded in Spain. This demographic concentration strengthens family and economic ties between the two countries.
Financially, the average expenditure of Algerian buyers stands at 132,079 euros, significantly lower than the average for foreign buyers in Spain (245,431 euros) but higher than that of Moroccans (53,257 euros). This difference reflects a different investor profile, oriented toward more accessible properties and asset-building investments rather than luxury real estate.
What to watch
Several factors warrant cautious tracking. The overall Spanish real estate market is slowing down, with a 13% decline in foreign transactions in the first quarter of 2026. Consequently, the growth of Algerian market share in Alicante occurs within a broader context of slowdown. International banking restrictions and difficulties in accessing mortgage credit for non-EU non-residents largely explain the limited reliance on mortgage loans, favoring cash purchases.
Furthermore, the data originates from the first quarter of 2026 and may be subject to subsequent adjustments. The Algerian concentration in Alicante does not necessarily reflect a national trend, and comparisons with other Spanish regions require nuance. Finally, although sources mentioned cross-checking on the topic, no claim of exhaustive testing or expert consensus can be drawn from these excerpts.