Spain Prime Minister proposes to ban home purchases by non-EU buyers

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proposed on Sunday to ban people outside the EU from buying housing in the country, as part of his drive to ease an affordable-homes crisis.

The plan followed the Socialist leader's proposal last week to slap a tax of up to 100 percent on such property deals in a country struggling with strong demand and soaring prices.

Announcing a list of proposed measures last week, he vowed to offer more social housing, improve regulation and provide more support to renters.

Announcing his 12-point programme to alleviate the crisis on Monday, Sanchez said non-residents from outside the European Union bought around 27,000 houses and apartments in Spain in 2023. Sanchez has also announced higher taxes and tighter regulation for tourist apartments.