When Karol Minarczuk, a 34-year-old insurance specialist, learned that his friend had purchased a property on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, he saw it as an opportunity to diversify his

capital amidst soaring inflation rates in his native Warsaw. With property prices in Spain lower than those in Warsaw, Minarczuk decided to invest in a 90-square-meter apartment in Torrevieja. However, there was another factor influencing his decision – the desire to provide a safe haven for his family, particularly his three-year-old daughter, amidst concerns related to the situation in Ukraine.

In 2022, nearly 3,000 properties in Spain were purchased by Polish citizens, marking a record number and a 160% increase from the previous year. This trend reflects the changing economic landscape of the European Union, with Eastern European countries like Poland catching up with their Western counterparts.

Despite being one of the poorest countries in the EU in terms of GDP per capita when it joined in 2004, Poland has made significant progress and now closely rivals Spain. The GDP per capita at purchasing power standards has increased from 47% of the EU average to 77%, while the average salary in Poland has steadily risen to 86% of Spain's. Rising property prices in Poland and the allure of a sunnier climate have drawn Poles to invest in Spanish real estate.

Magda Eder-Król, who relocated from London to Torrevieja, highlights the affordability and lifestyle advantages of the Spanish coast. She notes that properties are not only cheaper per square meter than in Poland but also offer more sunshine. Many Polish buyers, like Eder-Król, are making the move for a better quality of life, and some are even purchasing multiple properties for investment.

The outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine has further fueled the interest of Polish buyers in Spanish properties as they seek safe havens for both their families and investments. The recent surge in demand from Poland has led to a visible presence of Polish businesses and services in Spanish towns, including real estate agencies and Polish convenience stores.

As Poles increasingly flock to Spain, the "Little Russia" nickname once associated with Torrevieja is giving way to a new identity as "Little Poland," reflecting the growing Polish community and its impact on the local business landscape. Photo by Beata77, Wikimedia commons.