Spain is set to impose a significant new tax on foreigners, including Brits, buying homes in the country as it moves to prioritise housing availability for locals. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the new package of measures today. One of the 12 is the controversial proposal to introduce a tax for non-EU citizens who don’t already live in Spain on buying homes in the country.  The tax raises the amount when purchasing a property to 100 percent of its value. House-buyers in the country are currently expected to fork out for costs and taxes worth between 10 and 12% of the house price, depending on its location.  Mr Sanchez said that the new levy would help “prioritise the availability of housing for residents”. Mr Sánchez also accused the 27,000 foreigners from outside the EU who purchased homes in Spain in 2023 of buying the properties “not to live in them, but to speculate”.  He added that house prices are one of Europe’s “main challenges, adding that “average house prices in Europe have risen by 48% in the last decade and it is unbearable.” It comes after the Spanish prime minister announced plans to end the so-called ‘golden visa’ scheme in a blow to thousands. […]