The likes of France and Portugal are set to follow Spain in a new blow for Brits wanting to own holiday homes in the sun with locals fighting for affordable housing
Brits dreaming of a retirement home in the sun may face a rude awakening as France and Portugal join Spain in cracking down on foreign property owners. The move follows a warning from the Spanish Prime Minister that non-EU residents, including Brits, could be hit with hefty tax bills if they want to buy a home in Spain.
This has sparked fears among those hoping to retire to the sunny shores of Spain. However, it’s not just Spain causing concern; those eyeing up properties in Portugal, France or Greece may also encounter obstacles.
Portugal has been grappling with a lack of affordable housing, with protestors brandishing banners reading: “I have to choose between paying for a house or eating.”
Meanwhile, France took action last year to address growing discontent over housing availability, passing a bill to tighten regulations on short-term tourist rentals. The number of such rentals skyrocketed from 300,000 to 1.2 million between 2016 and 2024.
Similarly, the Greek government was forced to act last year, imposing a sweeping ban on short-term rental licences in three central Athens districts due to “a lot of pressure on society”, reports the Mirror.
Spain is tightening the screws on second home ownership amid a housing crisis, slapping keen Brits in the wallet with whopping taxes. A move that could see up to 100% tax on properties bought by non-EU nationals, including our UK sun-seekers, is on the cards according to Mail Online – talk about a holiday hangover!
While Brits have long been seduced by the sizzle of Spanish villas for a steal compared to Blighty’s prices, these properties aren’t the “affordable” digs local Spaniards are crying out for. With PM Sánchez revealing that non-EU outsiders snapped up a whopping 27,000 properties in 2023 for flipping rather than living, it’s clear the Spanish dream is turning into a nightmare for local homebuyers.
And let’s not forget our Greek getaways where, despite the love affair Brits have with Athens holidays, locals served up a stark reminder of their discontent last summer, daubing buildings with messages like “Tourists Go Home! Greek State Kills.”
A fiery mural even tossed two “Airbnb” towers into imaginary flames under the damning declaration: “Tourists Enjoy Your Stay In The Cemetery Of Europe”. Talk about waking up to more than a bad hangover after one too many ouzos!
Outraged demonstrators hit the streets of Athens to protest the tsunami of tourists swamping their city. Fury was palpable as they chanted: “They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives” – a jab at the fat cats who rent out their properties on Airbnb whilst sunning themselves far away from the urban squeeze.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.