Young people now choosing to buy
For years, renting has been the more common route into independent living for younger people in Spain. But new research suggests that this preference is changing, with the proportion of young people looking to buy a home now almost matching those searching for rental accommodation.
According to recent housing market research from Fotocasa, 41% of under-35s participating in Spain’s housing market are looking to buy, compared with 42% searching for a rental property. Just two years earlier, renting held a considerably larger advantage.
The findings highlight a changing attitude towards homeownership, although they also expose the financial challenges facing a generation increasingly interested in buying but not always able to do so.
Buying and Renting Are Now Almost Level Among Young People
The shift in housing preferences has been particularly noticeable over the past two years. In 2024, 53% of younger housing market participants were looking to rent, compared with 37% interested in buying. By 2025, those figures had moved to 47% and 39% respectively.
In the first half of 2026, the difference narrowed to just one percentage point, with 42% looking to rent and 41% looking to buy.
This represents a substantial change in the balance between the two markets. Rather than viewing renting as the obvious first step, more young adults are actively exploring the possibility of purchasing their own property.
Some are considering both options simultaneously. The proportion of under-35s participating in both the rental and purchase markets has increased to 17%, up from 15% a year earlier.
Why Are More Young People Considering Buying?
One of the main factors behind this change is the increasing cost of renting. As monthly rental payments absorb a significant proportion of household income, prospective tenants are naturally beginning to compare those costs with the potential monthly repayments on a mortgage.
For some buyers, homeownership offers greater long-term stability, the opportunity to build equity and more control over their living arrangements.
However, the financial comparison is not always straightforward. Mortgage repayments represent only part of the cost of owning a property. Buyers must also consider their deposit, purchase taxes, transaction expenses, maintenance and ongoing ownership costs.
In many cases, the greatest challenge is not necessarily meeting a monthly mortgage payment, but accumulating enough savings to purchase a property in the first place.
65% of Young People Expect to Buy Within Five Years
The latest findings also reveal considerable interest in future homeownership.
Among under-35s who have neither purchased nor attempted to purchase a home, 65% expect to buy within the next five years. This represents an increase of ten percentage points compared with 2024.
Of this group, 19% anticipate purchasing within the next two years, while 46% expect to buy within a period of two to five years.
These figures suggest that buying a home remains an important personal objective for younger generations, even when their financial circumstances mean that a purchase cannot happen immediately.
Importantly, intentions should not be confused with completed transactions. Many aspiring buyers will still need to overcome significant affordability and financing obstacles before entering the property market.
Renters Are Also Planning Their Move into Homeownership
The desire to buy is not limited to those already searching for properties for sale.
Among young people who have searched for rental accommodation to live in during the previous year, 64% expect to purchase a property within two to five years.
Interest is particularly strong among those aged 25 to 34, with 69% considering a purchase within that period, compared with 50% of those aged 18 to 24.
The difference reflects the varying financial circumstances and life stages of younger adults. Those approaching their thirties may have more established employment, greater savings or clearer long-term housing plans.
For younger renters, buying may remain a longer-term ambition rather than an immediate possibility.
What Does This Mean for Málaga and the Costa del Sol?
Although the research examines Spain’s housing market nationally, its findings raise important questions for younger buyers considering property in Málaga and along the Costa del Sol.
The region offers a broad range of residential environments, from Málaga’s established urban neighbourhoods and emerging residential districts to coastal towns such as Estepona, Fuengirola and Mijas.
However, buyers need to assess affordability carefully. Property prices vary considerably between locations, and the most desirable coastal areas may be beyond the budgets of many first-time purchasers.
For those hoping to enter the market, flexibility over location, property size and whether to buy a new-build or resale home can make a meaningful difference.
Transport connections, employment opportunities, local amenities and the availability of suitable mortgage financing are equally important considerations.
It is also worth distinguishing between the national trend towards homeownership and actual demand within individual Costa del Sol municipalities. The findings do not establish that younger buyers in Málaga are purchasing at the same rate as the national figures suggest they would like to.
Mortgage Deposits Remain a Major Obstacle
Despite growing enthusiasm for homeownership, the financial barriers remain substantial.
In Spain, a conventional mortgage for a main residence commonly finances up to around 80% of the property’s assessed value or purchase price, subject to the lender’s criteria. Buyers therefore generally need savings for the remaining deposit, together with taxes and associated purchase costs.
For example, a buyer purchasing a property for €250,000 with 80% mortgage financing would typically need €50,000 towards the purchase price, before accounting for taxes and other expenses.
For younger households paying high rents while trying to save, building that deposit can take several years.
Government-backed assistance and alternative mortgage products may help some eligible buyers, but eligibility, lending requirements and the overall cost of borrowing must be considered carefully.
A Change in Priorities, but Affordability Remains Essential
The latest research points to a significant change in how younger people approach Spain’s property market. Renting is no longer the clear preference it was just two years ago, and interest in buying has moved almost level with rental demand.
Yet the findings also highlight the distinction between wanting to own a home and being financially prepared to purchase one.
For younger buyers in Málaga and the Costa del Sol, careful financial planning, realistic property searches and an understanding of the local market remain essential.
At Marbella For Sale, we help buyers explore properties across the Costa del Sol, from modern apartments to established resale homes, with guidance tailored to their location preferences, requirements and budget.
