According to figures released by the General Council of Notaries, overseas buyers purchased 14,593 properties in Spain between April and June this year.

Non-residents accounted for 55% of foreign demand, around 8,030 property purchases, and residents were responsible for 45%, around 6,570 homes. The most numerous non-resident purchasers were Belgians, up 78% on last year, followed by the French (+70%) the Germans (+35%) and British (25%).

The Belgians also topped increased demand amongst foreign residents, up 42%, followed by Moroccans (+40%), Russians (+21%), French (+8%), and Germans (5%).

Purchases from buyers from all other nations fell.

Brits are still the most prevalent foreign purchasers, but their market share has shrunk from 39% in the last three months of 2007 to 15% now. However, they the still the biggest group of buyers, followed by the French (11%), Russians (9%), Germans (8%), and the Belgians (8%).