EQT PARTNERS takes majority stake in IDEALISTA
Context
EQT IX has acquired idealista, securing majority ownership of the online real‑estate classifieds platform operating in Spain, Italy and Portugal. The transaction was announced in September 2020 and follows a competitive process in which funds advised by Apax Partners and the company’s management sold their stakes. Management will retain a significant equity interest and continue to lead the business under founder and CEO Jesús Encinar. The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in December 2020. The acquisition aligns with EQT’s thematic focus on high‑growth digital businesses that benefit from network effects and shifting consumer behavior toward online channels. EQT intends to leverage its digital expertise, sector knowledge and extensive advisory network to accelerate idealista’s expansion within its core markets and to deepen its suite of value‑added services for agents. By integrating EQT’s “local with locals” approach, the buyer aims to enhance platform technology, broaden data‑analytics offerings and strengthen the mortgage brokerage component. Post‑closing, EQT plans to invest in product development, marketing and talent acquisition to increase user engagement and agent adoption. The combined resources are expected to improve operational efficiency, expand the company’s service portfolio and reinforce its position as a primary destination for property transactions in Southern Europe. These actions should generate incremental traffic, higher service utilization and greater cross‑selling opportunities across the platform’s ecosystem.
It is worth noting that the fund Apax Partners took control of Idealista through an LBO in 2015.
IDEALISTA, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (14.8x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
idealista operates an online real estate classifieds platform that connects real estate agents and private individuals with prospective buyers and renters across southern Europe. The company hosts property listings for sale and lease, enabling users to browse, filter, and contact sellers through a web portal and mobile applications. In addition to core classifieds, the platform provides ancillary digital services such as mortgage brokerage, customer‑relationship‑management software for agents, rental management tools, and insurance brokerage, creating multiple revenue streams. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Madrid, idealista expanded its coverage to include Spain, Portugal, Italy and other nearby markets, serving millions of monthly visitors and supporting thousands of professional agents. The business model relies on subscription fees from agencies, pay‑per‑lead arrangements, and commissions from ancillary services, while maintaining a free‑to‑list option for private sellers.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with IDEALISTA
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/2024 | CINVEN | IDEALISTA | SPAIN | Media & Internet | idealista has been acquired by Cinven in a transaction that secures a controlling equity position for the private equity firm. The agreement was announced in June 2024 and is subject to regulatory clearance and customary closing conditions |
| 07/2015 | APAX PARTNERS | IDEALISTA | SPAIN | Media & Internet | Apax Partners’ funds have acquired the shareholdings in idealista SA held by Tiger Global Management, Kutxabank and Bonsai Venture Capital. The transaction, executed in Madrid, transfers ownership of a portion of the online marketplace’s equity to Apix investors while the founding trio retains a controlling interest and continues to manage day‑to‑day operations |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b EUR
Revenue range: 100M - 200M EUR
EBITDA range: 50M - 100M EUR
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Press release: view release
Target: idealista
Acquirer: eqt partners