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Saving for a home in Spain? Even a €30k deposit isn't enough in many places
Experts warn that many people are being locked out of Spain's property market long before they reach the mortgage stage
For many people living in Spain, the dream of owning a home is starting to feel more distant than ever.
With the cost of everyday life continuing to climb, from food costs and electricity prices to fuel and rent, finding enough money to buy a property has become a challenge that many households simply can't overcome.
According to a new study by property portal Pisos.com, the biggest obstacle isn't actually the monthly mortgage payment. It's finding the huge amount of cash needed before a bank will even consider lending you the money.
Most mortgage providers in Spain require buyers to have savings worth around 30% of a property's value. Typically, 20% is needed as a deposit, while the remaining 10% covers taxes, legal fees, notary costs and other expenses linked to the purchase.
In some of Spain's most expensive cities, that means potential buyers need well over €100,000 sitting in the bank before they can even start discussing a mortgage.
San Sebastián tops the list, where the average 90m² apartment costs almost €595,000. According to the study, buyers would need savings of around €178,500 to secure a mortgage. Madrid isn't far behind, with an average savings requirement of almost €173,000.
Palma, Barcelona, Málaga and Bilbao also require more than €100,000 in savings before buyers can get their foot on the property ladder.
Even in cities that are considered more affordable, the figures remain daunting. In Valencia, buyers need almost €86,000 in savings, while in Seville the amount exceeds €70,000.
Ferran Font, director of studies and spokesperson for Pisos.com, explained that discussions about housing affordability often focus on mortgage repayments, but many people never even get that far.
Not a single provincial capital in Spain can be accessed with savings of €30,000. The cheapest option is Jaén, where prospective buyers would still need more than €34,000 before qualifying for a mortgage. Only five provincial capitals require less than €40,000 in savings.
According to the study, the problem is made worse by Spain's increasingly expensive rental market. Many younger workers spend such a large proportion of their income on rent that saving meaningful amounts of money becomes extremely difficult.
Font pointed out that many aspiring homeowners find themselves trapped in a frustrating cycle. They need to rent because they can't afford to buy, but the cost of renting leaves little room to save for a deposit.
"Asking a young person who rents to save €50,000 is, in practice, asking the impossible," he said.
The study suggests that without financial help from family, an inheritance or an unusually high income, home ownership is becoming increasingly difficult for many people, even those in steady employment.
For a growing number of residents across Spain, the challenge isn't finding a mortgage they can afford each month. It's finding the tens of thousands of euros needed to get through the door in the first place.
Address
26B Ermita Vieja, 30006, Murcia city, MurciaTel: 0034 629 421 588
Mobile: 0034 604 547 742
Mobile: 0034 604 547 742
The Montessori British School in Murcia offers the highest quality education for your children based on the UK curriculum, combined with the world-famous and highly sought-after Montessori methodology of teaching.
What is Montessori?
The Montessori method departs from traditional teaching practices by placing the child’s interests, capacity to choose and natural abilities at the heart of the learning environment, rather than focusing on fitting all students into rigid, one-size-fits-all boxes.It is so popular with parents because it recognises their children as individuals and nurtures their natural curiosity in a collaborative way.
“CHARACTER CANNOT BE TAUGHT, AS IT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE, NOT FROM EXPLANATION.”
– Maria Montessori
Why Montessori British School Murcia has the best of both worlds
The Montessori British School based in Central Murcia expounds this unique and revolutionary teaching method in all its classes and extracurricular activities, while at the same time giving students a firm grounding in the UK educational system.At the Montessori British School, your children can get the best of traditional Montessori British schooling with all the advantages of the blended classroom.
The teaching syllabus at Montessori British School champions the UK National Curriculum with 20% Spanish subjects, combined with Montessori’s learner-centered approach. Students are prepared for UK official exams, International GCSE and A-Levels.
All class sizes are kept small to maximise learning opportunities, and are delivered by experienced, qualified English-speaking and bilingual teachers to students from all over the world.
- Primary School: 5-11 years old
- Secondary School: IGCSE and A-Levels; 12-18 years old
- Pearson Exams: Pearson certifications, IGCSE, A-Levels, etc.
- Educational School Camps: For 5-18 years old
School Facilities
The Montessori British School Murcia has a comprehensive range of assets to assist student learning:
- Excellent sports facilities
- Science labs
- A botanical garden
- Extracurricular activities in Maths, English and Science
- Intensive Boarding School option
- Blended Programme (Flex) for combined online and in-person learning
- Individual coaching session once per week to assess student’s academic and personal goals
- Personalised parental advice for each child’s developmental advancement
Opening Hours
- Monday-Friday: 9:00-15:30
Attend an Open Day, either on campus or with a virtual visit online, to get to know Montessori British School Murcia better.
Contact the Montessori school using the box above or visit their website for more information.
