News

• The “Cocampo” report shows that families are gaining ground in investing in rural properties and are reshaping the Spanish rural land market.
• Rural properties are consolidating their position as safe haven assets in the face of pressure from the urban housing market.
• The European political and social context places the countryside at the center of the debate on investment and territory

The rural land market in Spain is undergoing a transformation marked by a change in the profile of buyers. According to the Cocampo Report on Investment in Rural Land in 2025 , prepared by Cocampo with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) , families and small investors have taken on a leading role in the purchase and sale of properties, in a context of rising urban housing prices and increased rental regulation.

This phenomenon reinforces the appeal of rural areas not only as productive spaces, but also as alternatives for family savings, developing life projects, and diversifying assets. The report, compiled using official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and monitoring of transactions reported in the media, provides an up-to-date overview of a market that is increasingly diverse and prominent on the economic and social agenda.

Investor Profile

The 2025 analysis confirms that the volume of rural property sales remains high, although with a different trend than in previous years. While funds and large companies played a more prominent role in previous years, the focus has shifted towards individual investors and families.

The main features of this evolution include:

• Consolidation of families as the driving force of demand, especially in recreational properties and micro-farms with housing.

• There is a relatively smaller role for agricultural, forestry and large corporate funds, which are adopting a more prudent and selective strategy.

• Greater diversity of uses of rural land, combining investment, leisure and small economic projects.

Compared to 2024, the Report points to a continuation of market activity, but with a more balanced distribution between investor profiles and less concentration in large transactions.

Safe haven value

One of the central elements of the document is the shift of some household savings from urban to rural areas. Rural property is no longer perceived as a marginal asset and is becoming established as an option that combines stability, use, and a long-term perspective. Several factors are identified that explain this trend:

• The difficulty of accessing housing in urban environments.

• The search for tangible and limited assets , such as land.

• The interest in improving the quality of life and having leisure and nature spaces.

• The possibility of developing complementary activities such as niche agriculture, extensive livestock farming or rural tourism.

This change helps to diversify the market and strengthen the link between private investment and rural areas.

Large investors and agriculture

Although large investors remain present, their behavior in 2025 shows an adjustment compared to previous years. Pressure on land prices, especially for irrigated land and woody crops, along with regulatory uncertainty, has led to greater caution.

• Agribusiness and energy companies maintain interest, but with more selective projects.

• Renewable energy activity on rural land is slowing down, except in specific areas such as biofuels.

• Small and medium-sized farmers and ranchers continue to face the challenge of generational change and the need to grow in size.

In this context, farms that manage to professionalize their operations, incorporate technology, and grow in size strengthen their market position.

The countryside in the public debate

Beyond investment figures, the report underscores the growing visibility of the agricultural sector in public debate. Issues such as the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the origin of food are placing rural areas at the heart of the political and media agenda. The most salient elements of this new context are:

• The potential impact of new aid and incentives to rural areas.

• The institutional interest in mobilizing agricultural land and facilitating access to land.

• The need to improve transparency , available data, and public-private collaboration.

These dynamics reinforce the view of the countryside as a strategic sector, key to territorial cohesion, climate transition and food security.

Trends for 2026

Looking ahead to the new year, the report points to an increasingly polarized market, with growing differences between recreational properties and productive farms, and between small landowners and larger operations. At the same time, opportunities are emerging to revitalize underutilized properties and attract new projects to rural areas.

The study concludes that rural land is consolidating as a relevant asset for both families and other economic actors, in a scenario where investment, territory and public policies are increasingly interconnected.