Property for sale on the Costa Blanca

Two coasts under one name

It helps to think of the Costa Blanca as north and south — they are quite different.

The north, from Dénia to Benidorm: mountains run down to the sea, with rocky coves and towns on the hillsides. This is Calpe with its Peñón de Ifach, Villajoyosa, Finestrat and Benidorm. Many villas with sea views, homes set on the hills.

The south, from Alicante to the Murcia border: flat land, long sandy beaches, salt lakes and golf courses. This is Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar and Pilar de la Horadada, with Algorfa and Ciudad Quesada a little inland. Lots of new builds, townhouses and apartments in complexes with pools.

A place where foreigners are neighbours, not visitors

People from all over Europe live and buy on the Costa Blanca. In Torrevieja, 54.7% of residents are foreign nationals; in Calpe, more than half. You will not be the only newcomer on your street.

Getting there

Alicante is the main airport, and Valencia airport is handy for the northern part of the coast. Both have direct flights from the UK. A tram runs along the coast from Alicante through Benidorm to Dénia.

Buying from the UK

Buying does not give you residency. Spain's golden visa for property investors was abolished in April 2025. Anyone can still buy without restriction, but without a visa a UK passport holder can stay up to 90 days in any 180.

Taxes — Valencian Community rates. New build: 10% VAT plus 1.4% stamp duty. Resale: 9% transfer tax up to €1,000,000, or 11% on the whole price above that. Notary, land registry and paperwork usually add 0.5–1% of the price. For a new build, budget 12–13% on top of the price.

NIE and a Spanish bank account. You need an NIE, the foreigner's identification number, and we handle it for you. For a new build you do not need a Spanish bank account: you can pay the developer from your UK account. For a resale property it is not a legal requirement, but in practice you will want one: the seller is paid at the notary with a banker's draft that only a Spanish bank can issue. Paying the seller from abroad is possible, but the money has to leave several days before completion — a risk for you as the buyer.

Mortgages. Spanish banks usually lend non-residents up to 70% of the valuation, against 80% for residents.

Off-plan. By law, every payment you make to the developer before completion must be covered by a bank guarantee. Check it before you sign.