After the incursions of Russian drones in the territory of Poland, the interest of Polish citizens for the acquisition of housing abroad has increased considerably. Real estate agencies report an increase in demands, especially regarding the apartments in Spain, writes Gazeta Wyborcza.
The house of a Polish, damaged by a Russian drone/Photo: X
Sławomir Stawarczik, the owner of the Spanish Agency Colores Agency, says the number of those interested in buying a house in Spain has been tripled after attacks. “For Poles, security has become a decisive factor. We are on the eastern flank of NATO, while Spain is on the outskirts. Even during World War II, the fights did not pass the Pyrene,” he explains.
At a real estate fair organized in Krakow, his stand – with offers of villas with swimming pool and sea views – attracted the attention of visitors. According to the agents, a “decent” home, with access to the sea, infrastructure and good air connections, starts from at least 120,000 euros.
Michał Spodimek, the founder of Goeste, confirms the tendency. He tells that the phones have started to call the mass on the day of the attacks. “On September 10, in the afternoon, everyone was following the news. Then the calls began: from Rzeszów, Lublin and, as usual, from Warsaw.
Spodimek, then on the way to the airport, where he was going to fly to Bulgaria, says the news about the violation of the Polish air space came to the car. His flight was delayed due to the temporary closure of the Warsaw airport. “You never know when it can happen again. If the war reaches our borders, men will not have much time to leave. Women could leave a week later, but men should leave the country just before closing borders,” he warns.
Although Spain remains attractive, real estate agents emphasize that restrictions on renting and lowering yields discourage some of the buyers. As an accessible alternative, Bulgaria offers seaside housing even with 1,000 euros per square meter, and accession to the euro area could stimulate the market. Another point of interest is North Cyprus, where the more relaxed rules regarding the origin of capital attract investors.
Spanish statistics show that in 2024 the Poles bought 4,213 homes on the territory of Spain, 35% more than in the previous year. Thus, they went up to the ninth place in the top of foreign buyers.
“An apartment in Krakow already costs around one million zloti. For the same amount, in Spain you can buy a much more attractive home”, Stawarzik points out.
Agnieszka, a Polish from Katowice who purchased an apartment on Costa Blanca since 2017, says that her decision was dictated by climate and atmosphere, not investment. “Prices increase slower than in Poland, but what matters is the feeling of safety,” she confesses. However, it admits that more hot summers and climatic changes raise question marks on a new investment in the area.
Experts emphasize that the trigger of interest was the fear caused by drone attacks and the risk of a wider conflict. However, beyond security, the Poles begin to weigh the economic factor: if it is worth buying a “second home” in sunny Spain or if it is more advantageous to opt for more accessible investments, such as Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, thousands of Poles voluntarily register for military training programs, against the backdrop of the army to strengthen their effective and increasing concerns about Russia's aggression.
