Demand for second homes in Spain soars by nearly 40% in first week of January
Demand for second homes in Spain soars by nearly 40% in first week of January as Britons in lockdown eye up place in the sun despite Brexit
- Taylor Wimpey Espana saw demand for properties increase at the start of year
- Interest in properties rose by 39 per cent during the first week of January
- Brexit travel rules prevent Britons from spending more than three months in EU
The number of Britons seeking a second home in Spain soared in the first week of January as more families cast their sights to the European country amid the lockdown, property experts said.
The real estate company Taylor Wimpey Espana found that interest in Spanish properties rose by 39 per cent during the first week of 2021 when compared to the first week the year before despite post-Brexit travel restrictions.
They also reported a surge in would-be UK buyers using their virtual tours to view dream properties in areas including Alicante, Mallora and Costa Blanca.
It comes after travel restrictions, which came into force on January 1, stated that Britons would be prevented from spending more than three months at a time at a holiday home in the EU after Brexit.
The restrictions mean that Britons will only be allowed to stay in a European country without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in every six month period.
People who exceed the 90 day limit could face the threat of a fine or even be banned entry to the EU’s Schengen travel zone.
Despite the extra hurdles involved after Brexit, Taylor Wimpey Espana also reported that interest from other European countries was also on the rise, with web visitors from Germany up 51 per cent and those from Belgium up by 44 per cent.
Domestic visitors have increased too, with website visits from Spain up 15 per cent on the year before.