Spain Rises in World Real Estate Transparency Rankings: A Market Trending Towards Excellence

Introduction

In the context of a world beset by uncertainty and the need for reliable regulatory environments, transparency is emerging as a cornerstone value in the property sector. Spain is ranked 18th internationally and within the EU's top 10 by the 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI), developed by JLL and LaSalle, as a "Transparent Market." This ranking reflects the nation's strides in digitalization, regulation, sustainability, and data access.

Spain's Progress: Major Gains in Market Transparency

Spain has become a model of transparency through significant advances across various areas. The real estate transaction process has become easier and more transparent, ranking 9th globally by GRETI. This is thanks to the standardization of due diligence procedures, improvements in land registries, and greater clarity in legal and tax requirements for buyers and investors.

Additionally, governance of listed investment vehicles (such as SOCIMIs) and the depth of asset performance data have also improved significantly, placing Spain 16th and 17th globally in these metrics. These advancements foster investor confidence, enhance risk predictability, and support better-informed decision-making.

Technology and Innovation: Drivers of Real Estate Transparency

One of the most powerful enablers of transparency has been the incremental integration of advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly playing a leading role in automated asset valuation, predictive portfolio management, and real-time integration of operational data. These tools enhance precision, traceability, and data availability throughout the real estate value chain.

Moreover, the adoption of blockchain platforms for transaction recording and contract validation is gaining momentum in institutional contexts, reinforcing legal security and document transparency.

Sustainability: A New Pillar of Transparency

The 2024 GRETI places a strong emphasis on sustainability-related transparency. As environmental priorities rise on the global agenda, leading markets are embedding ESG metrics into their regulatory and reporting structures.

Spain has made progress in this area—through mandatory energy certifications and incentives for NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings)—but there is still work to do, particularly in the harmonization of data on emissions, energy efficiency, and social impact criteria.

Comparisons and Challenges: Joining the Best of the Best

Despite its significant progress, Spain still lags behind global leaders such as France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who occupy the top spots in the GRETI rankings. These countries benefit from more mature regulatory systems, better access to granular data, and deeper integration of technology across the real estate value chain.

To climb further in the rankings, Spain must continue improving transparency in the residential sector, expand access to data on rents and occupancy, and strengthen communication between regulators, developers, and end users.

Conclusion: An Attractive Environment for Global Investment

Spain’s position in the global top 20 and European top 10 for real estate transparency confirms the country’s transition toward a more open and professionalized market aligned with international best practices.

For investors, this creates an environment of greater certainty, reduced information asymmetry, and more secure decision-making. In a world where transparency has become a competitive advantage, Spain is well-positioned to attract international capital and lead the next phase in the evolution of the European real estate sector.