As Fuerteventura continues to attract investors, the Canary Islands are emerging as a favored property destination for Italian buyers.
The Canary Islands have solidified their status as one of Spain’s most sought-after real estate markets for Italian nationals, who purchased over 2,000 homes in 2025 alone. This figure underscores the islands’ increasing appeal for both relocation and property investment, with Italians accounting for nearly 25% of all foreign purchases across the archipelago.
Record Demand from Italian Buyers
The robust demand in the Canary Islands coincided with a record year for Italian property buyers throughout Spain. According to the General Council of Notaries, Italians made a total of 8,948 home purchases nationwide in 2025, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year—the highest number in history. While Catalonia saw nearly 2,700 purchases, making Italians about 12% of foreign buyers there, Madrid recorded around 1,250 purchases, with Italians again constituting approximately 13% of overseas transactions. In contrast, the Canary Islands emerged as a standout, where almost 25% of all foreign property acquisitions were made by Italian nationals.
Canary Islands Popularity Among Italians
Continuing into 2026, property search trends indicate strong interest in the Canary Islands. While Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia remained the most searched cities for Italian users, six municipalities from the archipelago appeared among Spain’s 15 most popular destinations. These municipalities are:
- Arona (Tenerife)
- Adeje (Tenerife)
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria)
- La Oliva (Fuerteventura)
- Antigua (Fuerteventura)
This data highlights the enduring appeal of the islands’ coastal and tourist-centric areas for Italian buyers.
Growing Italian Community in the Canary Islands
As of early 2025, the Canary Islands were home to 55,553 Italian nationals, comprising approximately 2.5% of the archipelago’s total population. This community has steadily grown, with an increase of over 5,100 residents since 2021, reflecting a rise of more than 10%.
Tenerife and Fuerteventura emerge as key destinations for Italians. Arona leads with 7,637 registered Italian residents, followed by Adeje with 5,501. On Fuerteventura, La Oliva hosts 5,310 Italians, accounting for an impressive 17.8% of the municipality’s population—essentially one in every five residents. Additionally, Antigua is home to 1,588 Italian nationals.
Fuerteventura’s Flourishing Italian Presence
Fuerteventura has become a major hub for the growing Italian community in the Canary Islands, boasting a total of 9,802 Italian residents by early 2025, with the largest concentrations in La Oliva and Antigua. Notably, over half of these Italians live in La Oliva, where the community has increased by 16.4% since 2021. This municipality is also distinguished as one of the most international in the Canary Islands, with a significant proportion of residents holding non-Spanish nationalities.
Insights on Property Purchases
Interestingly, the majority of Italian buyers are not acquiring holiday homes from abroad. Data indicates that 86.5% of homes purchased by Italians in 2025 were bought by those already residing in Spain, suggesting many are investing in permanent residences after relocating. These resident buyers averaged €2,549 per square meter, significantly higher than the €1,963 average for foreign resident buyers overall. While specific details on the use of these properties—whether as permanent homes, vacation spots, or investment properties—remain unclear, it’s evident that the Canary Islands continue to be a highly attractive destination for Italy’s expanding expatriate community.
Image credit: www.canarianweekly.com
Source: www.canarianweekly.com.
Curated by Fuerteventura Times Real Estate Desk.
