SPAIN
The Costa Brava, more particularly, is bound by,
and adheres to, planning regulations that prevent
future large-scale developments, allowing buyers to
purchase properties with the confidence that views
and natural parkland surrounds will remain pristine
and untouched. The Costa Brava enjoys year round
clement weather. It has magnificent, untouched
beaches and inlets, many of which are accessible only
by boat. There are beautiful hiking trails, amazing
scuba diving sites and, in winter, the ski resorts of
the Pyrenees are an easy drive away. The province
also has a wide choice of world-class golf courses
including one outside Girona recognised as being in
the top three in Europe.
Costa Brava
euros, which can be rented out for the summer
season at between 20,000 and 40,000 euros per
month. This makes a compelling case for investing
in Spanish while the market is still depressed and
value to realised.
Barcelona is the first Spanish city to find favour
with major international investors and is currently at
the forefront of a turnaround in property, sales and
price increases.
The coastal area of Catalonia provides an attractive
proposition to lifestyle investors looking for longterm value, destination and investment opportunity,
as the economic upturn in Spain forges ahead.
QUICK FACTS
Capital: Madrid
Population:
Approximately 47 million
Government: Multi-party
Economy: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in
Spain expanded 0.40% in the first quarter of 2014
over the previous quarter.
Currency: Euro
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Offshore Handbook 2014
The Costa Brava is also earning a reputation as
one of Europe’s wine-making regions with the
most potential and has also gained a reputation for
superb gastronomy with the world’s best restaurants
– originally Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli in Montjoi
(Roses), and now the Roca brothers’ El Celler de
Can Roca in Girona. Being Salvador Dali, Joan
Mirò and Antoni Gaudi’s country, the Costa Brava
has much to offer in the way of culture - the arts,
museums, music and theatre - and all the towns
have a vibrant carnival culture.
In addition to all the above, and most importantly
in this day and age, the Costa Brava offers luxury
buyers privacy in safety and security.
It is interesting to note that in 2013, four times
more houses were sold to foreigners than in the
previous year, and it is estimated that over the next
three to five years more than 100, 000 properties
could be sold in Spain. This will ensure a strong
recovery in property prices and of course positive
investment returns for those taking advantage of the
real estate investment opportunities now.
RESOURCES
Spanish Property Insight
Quality Estates, Costa Brava
www.reimag.co.za