New research by Masteos and The Fringe Labs has revealed that 84.9% of homes in Spain will be unsellable by 2033. Owners also won’t be allowed to rent out the properties. The findings relate to EU legislation aimed to achieve net zero by 2050. It requires anyone selling or renting out a home from 2033 to ensure the property has an energy certification of D or higher.
Another study, from smart thermostat company Tado, shows that Spain ranks fifth in Europe for the speed of temperature loss from its homes, with only properties in the UK, Belgium, France and Netherlands losing heat faster. Housing stock age is a key factor here, with older homes being far less energy efficient than new builds. According to the Masteos/Fringe Labs research, 67.6% of homes in Spain are at least 23 years old, while 36.2% are at least 43 years old.
The need for an energy efficient home is particularly relevant to British buyers in Spain, as Britons buy more homes there than any other foreign nationality. Figures from the Spanish Colegio Registradores for Q3 2023 show that 10.11% of all purchases by foreigners are made by Britons, with the number of Britons buying up by 8.7% (compared to a rise of 1.3% across all foreign buyers).
