Average mortgage interest rate in Spain 2003-2023, by mortgage term

The average mortgage interest rate in Spain followed a downward trend for almost a decade before increasing dramatically in 2022. In 2023, new housing loans had an average interest rate of 3.74 percent - about three times the interest rate in 2020. Mortgages with a five to 10-year term were the only product which saw rates decline between 2022 and 2023. 

Why did mortgage rates spike?

Macroeconomic factors, such as inflation, economic growth, and fiscal policy, play a major role in determining the cost of a loan. Inflation in Europe started rising in late 2021, largely due to surging energy costs. In Spain, the annual change of the consumer price index peaked at almost 11 percent in July 2023. The European Central Bank has responded by introducing a series of hikes on the key interest rates (main refinancing operations, marginal lending facility, and deposit facility), which have affected lending rates across the European Union.

How has the housing market reacted to the interest rate hike?

The housing market follows a certain seasonality, with more home sales in the second and fourth quarters of the year. This was also the case in 2022, but the last quarter of the year saw an annual decline. Though compared to previous years, the number of transactions was one of the highest, the annual decrease shows a potential downturn.