Costa Blanca has been luring Northern Europeans south for decades, and it's not hard to see why. Over 300 days of sunshine a year, affordable property prices compared to the French Riviera or Algarve, direct flights from every major UK and Irish airport, and a well-established expat community that makes the transition manageable.
If you're seriously considering buying property in Costa Blanca, this guide covers everything you need to make a confident decision — from the best towns and realistic price ranges to the buying process and costs you should budget for.
Why Buy Property on the Costa Blanca?
The honest answer is: value, lifestyle, and accessibility.
Costa Blanca stretches roughly 200km along the southeastern coast of Spain, anchored by Alicante in the south and running up through the Marina Alta region past Denia. It splits naturally into two distinct zones — Costa Blanca Sur (south) and Costa Blanca Norte (north) — with very different characters.
The south is flatter, sunnier, and significantly cheaper. The north is greener, hillier, and more expensive, attracting a wealthier buyer who often wants a primary residence rather than a holiday home.
For British and Irish buyers specifically, Costa Blanca ticks boxes that other Spanish regions don't always manage simultaneously. Alicante Airport (ALC) has direct routes from London Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Dublin, Cork, and more. EasyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2 all serve the region heavily.
The Best Towns: What to Expect and What to Pay
Alicante City
Alicante is a proper Spanish city — 330,000 people, a functioning economy, a beautiful old quarter around the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, and a palm-fringed promenade along the seafront. It's increasingly popular with buyers who want year-round urban life.
Property ranges from €1,200 to €2,500 per square metre depending on neighbourhood. A two-bedroom apartment in the Ensanche district might run €160,000–€220,000.
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is the workhorse of the Costa Blanca South — not glamorous, but extraordinarily good value. The town has a large Spanish population alongside one of the biggest British and Irish communities on the coast.
Prices here are among the lowest on the coast. A two-bedroom apartment can be found for €80,000–€130,000 in reasonable condition, and detached villas are available from €180,000.
Javea (Xàbia)
Javea is where Costa Blanca Norte shows its character. Backed by the Montgó mountain, split between a historic old town, a fishing port, and the long sandy Arenal beach, it's considered one of the most desirable spots on the entire Spanish coast.
Detached villas with pools start around €350,000 and quickly climb past €1 million for elevated sea-view positions. Apartments near the Arenal typically start around €200,000.
Denia
Denia is the most Spanish of the popular expat towns — a real working community with a fishing fleet, a castle, a ferry terminal to Ibiza and Formentera, and serious food culture.
Prices sit between Torrevieja and Javea. Town centre apartments run €180,000–€280,000. Villas on the Las Marinas strip command €400,000+.
Altea
Altea is arguably the most beautiful town on the Costa Blanca — a whitewashed hilltop village with a blue-domed church, steep cobbled streets, and views that stop people mid-sentence. A genuine arts community with a different atmosphere to the resort towns further south.
Old town properties typically sell for €250,000–€400,000+ for character homes with views.
Benidorm
Benidorm has a reputation that precedes it, but the property reality is more nuanced. The apartment stock is dense, modern by Spanish standards, and offers strong short-term rental yields for buyers with investment goals.
Prices for a two-bedroom apartment in a complex with pool start around €120,000.
Property Types on the Costa Blanca
Apartments — the most common entry-level purchase. Most complexes include a communal pool. Community fees: budget €100–€300/month.
Townhouses and Bungalows — particularly prevalent in the south, on urbanisations developed for the foreign buyer market. Often come with private patio or garden and a small private pool.
Detached Villas — private plot, private pool, more space and privacy. Costs start around €200,000 for older properties needing work, with no ceiling for prime positions.
New Build — the Costa Blanca has seen significant new development, particularly around Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and the Marina Alta. Modern specifications and payment plans during construction.
The Buying Process
NIE Number — before anything else, you need a Número de Identidad de Extranjero. Required for all legal and financial transactions. Allow 1–4 weeks if applying in Spain, longer from the UK. See our guide to getting your NIE number in Spain for the full process.
Legal Representation — appoint an independent Spanish solicitor (abogado). Cost: typically 1–1.5% of the purchase price. Not optional if you want to buy safely. Read our Spain property due diligence guide for what your solicitor should be checking.
Reservation Contract — once terms are agreed, sign a reservation agreement and pay a holding deposit, typically €3,000–€6,000, to take the property off the market.
Private Purchase Contract (Contrato de Arras) — a more formal contract where you pay 10% of the purchase price. If you pull out, you lose this. If the seller pulls out, they owe you double. Our arras contract guide covers your rights and protections in full.
Completion at the Notary — the final signing. Balance is paid, the deed (escritura) is signed, and ownership transfers.
Costs to Budget For
- Transfer Tax (ITP): 10% on resale properties in the Valencian Community
- VAT (IVA): 10% on new builds, plus AJD stamp duty of 1.5%
- Notary and Land Registry fees: 0.5–1% combined
- Solicitor: 1–1.5%
Ongoing costs include annual property tax (IBI, typically €300–€1,200/year), community fees, buildings insurance, and non-resident income tax. For a complete picture of what you'll pay each year, read our guide to ongoing costs of owning property in Spain. The Agencia Tributaria publishes the current non-resident tax rates and filing requirements.
Getting to the Costa Blanca: Flights and Transport
Alicante Airport is one of Spain's busiest. The AP-7 motorway runs the length of the coast. For most property owners, a car is essential once spending extended time in the area.
Aena publishes live route and terminal information for Alicante Airport. For regional tax and ITP rates, the Generalitat Valenciana publishes the official current figures.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Property on the Costa Blanca
Is Costa Blanca a good place to buy property? For British and Irish buyers, yes — it consistently ranks as one of the best-value Mediterranean coastal markets. Over 300 days of sunshine, direct flights from 30+ UK airports, and property from €80,000 make it accessible at multiple price points. The north suits buyers wanting a primary residence; the south suits holiday home and investment buyers.
What is the cheapest place to buy on the Costa Blanca? Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa offer the lowest entry prices on the coast. Two-bedroom apartments in reasonable condition are available from €80,000–€110,000. Inland towns in the Vega Baja are cheaper still, though beach access requires a drive.
How much does it cost to buy property in Spain as a foreigner? On the Costa Blanca, budget 12–14% on top of the purchase price to cover transfer tax (ITP at 10%), notary and land registry fees (0.5–1%), and solicitor fees (1–1.5%). New builds attract 10% IVA instead of ITP. See our full buying costs guide.
Do I need a NIE number to buy property on the Costa Blanca? Yes. A Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) is required for all legal and financial transactions in Spain, including property purchase. Apply at a Spanish consulate in the UK or at a Foreigners' Office in Spain. Allow 1–4 weeks.
Can British buyers still buy property in Spain after Brexit? Yes. British nationals can buy property in Spain without restriction. The post-Brexit change is the 90/180-day Schengen visa-free limit for stays. If you want to spend more time in Spain, investigate the Non-Lucrative Visa. Property ownership itself is unaffected.
Is Costa Blanca Norte or Sur better for buying? It depends on your priorities. The south (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa) is flatter, cheaper, and better for investment or holiday homes. The north (Javea, Altea, Denia) is greener, more expensive, and popular with buyers seeking a primary residence or higher-end lifestyle.
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*Costs and rates current as of Q2 2025. Always confirm with a qualified Spanish abogado before proceeding. This is not legal advice.*
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