A recent report conducted by Securitas Direct has uncovered that second homes in Spain experience more than twice the number of intrusions compared to primary residences. These intrusions include robberies, assaults, and occupations. Typically, second homes remain vacant for the majority of the year, leading to the main concern among owners regarding the risk of occupation.
The study, titled “Home Security in Spain,” focused on the security of both primary and secondary residences in the country. According to the findings, Galicia, Asturias, Canarias, Castilla-La Mancha, and Aragón are considered the safest autonomous communities to own a property.
The report reveals that 19% of the respondents claim to own a second home, with six out of ten individuals locating their secondary residence in rural or countryside areas, mainly in the central and northern regions of Spain. Furthermore, 45% of these second homes are situated in beach areas, mostly in the southern part of the country.
Most of these properties are used for extended vacation periods, with only 27% indicating a more frequent use of their second residence. However, two-thirds of the respondents express concerns about the security of their second home, with 44% believing that these properties are at a higher risk compared to previous years. The primary concern is occupations, with 32% more worry compared to primary residences.
Due to this concern, 94% of the participants state that they have installed or would install an alarm system in their second home to prevent occupations. Additionally, 90% would install such security measures to deter theft or break-ins when they are away, while 84% would do the same to safeguard against intrusions while they are at home.
The study also reveals that Galicia and Asturias have the lowest instances of home intrusions, while Catalonia, Valencia, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, and Andalusia have reported higher incidences.
Source: Securitas Direct report, study “Home Security in Spain”