The ultimate guide on how to buy a property on the Costa Blanca (2023)

how to buy property costa blanca

Image - kirill_makarov/shutterstock

Covering over 120 miles of Mediterranean coastline stretching from Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the South, with 320 days of sunshine a year, and a diverse range of property types, it’s no surprise that the Costa Blanca is one of the most popular areas in Spain for Brits and other internationals to buy property.

However, buying a property on the Costa Blanca, and Spain in general, is notoriously complex. With viewings to arrange, lots of documents to prepare, legalities that differ from other countries, and a foreign language to contend with, getting the help of a trusted local estate agency is essential. That’s why the Euro Weekly News has put together this guide on how to buy a property on the Costa Blanca, including the best estate agents to help you on your journey.

how to buy property costa blanca
Alicante Marina. Image – Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com

The best estate agents on the Costa Blanca

Our recommendation

LIVINatSPAIN

LIVINatSPAIN is more than just an estate agency. A group of truly passionate property specialists, the team of professionals are dedicated to adapting to clients every need with personalised and honest service.

The multilingual team direct all of their efforts towards clients to understand, anticipate, and efficiently satisfy their requirements. Whether you are looking for a villa, apartment, townhouse, or penthouse, the close-knit team promise to assist you in a way that is right, fair, and ethical.

Using a flexible approach, the experienced agents will adapt to any changes to achieve client satisfaction every time. You will work with a local agent who can advise you on the best areas for your lifestyle, keep you fully informed about the administrative processes, provide you with a lawyer and notary, and can even assist you in obtaining your NIE number, opening a Spanish bank account, and applying for a mortgage.

The team are certified and registered RAICV and APIAL real estate agents, offering and selling properties under the new Decree for Real Estate Agents. This is an important differentiator from other agencies on the Costa Blanca and in Spain’s currently unregulated real estate market, and means that LIVINatSPAIN is certified and officially recognised as a serious, professional, and knowledgeable agency. From October 2023, agencies that are not RAICV certified will cease to exist.

Their after-sales services include helping you with the interior design of your new house, including furniture packages, as well as a final check over your property so that you can enjoy your new home immediately.

Contact the friendly and professional team at LIVINatSPAIN to begin your new life on the Costa Blanca, offering you quality properties from Gandia all the way down to Pulpi!

Find out more about the new Decree for Real Estate Agents: Click here

Website: Click here

Facebook: Click here

Calpe Office

Email: info@livinatspain.com

Phone: +34 672 247 386

Address: Avda Gabriel Miro 34, 03710 Calpe, Alicante, Spain

Registered Agent:
Comunitat Valenciana: RAICV 0087
APIAL: A090
(LIVINatSPAIN is the official brand name of AKUNAS MAGRUM S.L.)

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Some of the most popular areas on the Costa Blanca to buy a property

The stunning Costa Blanca is one of the most popular places in Spain to buy property, either as a permanent home or a second property to enjoy in the holidays. Investors from all over the world have found that the real estate market on the Costa Blanca is a safe haven in these uncertain times, particularly since the Covid pandemic.

The Costa Blanca boasts a plethora of typically Spanish towns, both inland and seafront, but none of which are far from a beach. Due to Alicante’s surrounding mountain ranges which protect the province from bad weather, all of Alicante’s localities receive on average at least 97 days of sunshine and clear blue skies every year.

Alicante province has the highest ratio of foreign residents of all of the Spanish provinces and there are almost 20 localities to choose from, each with its own unique qualities, micro-cultures and attractions.  Here are some of the most popular areas to buy property in this beautiful part of Spain.

Northern Costa Blanca

Alicante City

It is the capital of the province of Alicante and is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history. Nearby the busy international airport, in close proximity to the rest of the peninsula and home to expansive public beaches and a bustling city centre, Alicante is an obvious choice for those thinking of buying a property in Spain.

Image - Alicante: Pixabay
Image – Alicante: Pixabay

Denia

Denia is a coastal town located in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region of Spain. Denia has a rich history and is known for its beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture. Its seaport makes it a key destination for ferries to the Spanish islands.

Moving to the Costa Blanca
Montgo Mountain. Image – lunamarina/Shutterstock.com

Javea

A small historical town known by the locals as Xabia, Javea is divided into three main areas: the old town, the port, and the Arenal beach. The old town, located inland, features narrow streets, historic buildings, and a fortified church. The port area, known as “El Puerto,” is a bustling marina with a fishing port, restaurants, and bars. Arenal is a sandy beach with a promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

moving to costa blanca
Image – Andreasc/shutterstock

Benidorm

Known for its great bars and clubs, Benidorm is much more than the exciting nightlife it has to offer. The city has invested in cultural events, such as music festivals and street performances, to attract a wider audience, and efforts have been made to promote ecotourism, highlighting the natural beauty of the surrounding area and encouraging visitors to explore the nearby mountains and nature reserves.

Moving to the Costa Blanca
Image – svetfoto/shitterstock.com

Finestrat

Finestrat, meaning ‘window to the sea’, is a small village in the mountains just 20 minutes away from Benidorm, known for its picturesque setting, nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The municipality encompasses both coastal and inland areas, offering a diverse range of landscapes. The iconic Puig Campana, a mountain peak that stands at 1,410 metres, dominates the skyline and attracts hikers and climbers. The old town of Finestrat is perched on a hilltop and preserves its traditional charm with narrow streets and historic buildings.

Moving to Costa Blanca
Image – Olaf Speier/Shutterstock.com

Altea

Altea is known for its charming old town, beautiful beaches, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Altea is a popular tourist destination, particularly among those seeking a more tranquil and authentic Spanish experience. Visitors can enjoy exploring the old town, relaxing on the beaches, sampling traditional Spanish cuisine in the local restaurants, or simply soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of this charming coastal town.

Image - Altea: Ekaterina McClaud:shutterstock
Image – Ekaterina McClaud/shutterstock

Southern Costa Blanca

Torrevieja

Torrevieja is popular for those moving to Spain due to the number of international schools and multiplicity of fun things to do – as well as the gorgeous weather all year round! This city is not just popular for the holiday season, with restaurants and other important amenities open throughout the year. For this reason, the housing market there is booming.

Image - Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja
Image – Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

Santa Pola

Just a 20-minute drive from Alicante Airport, Santa Pola is a small but beautiful fishing port that is famous for its variety of landscapes – from the views of the distant mountains to the wild sand dunes. In addition to its natural attractions such as Salinas de Santa Pola and plenty of water sports, Santa Pola has a charming old town with narrow streets, traditional houses, and a fortress called “Castillo-Fortaleza de Santa Pola” that offers panoramic views of the town and the coast.

how to buy property costa blanca
Image – Elena Simona Craciun

Rojales

Rojales is perfectly located in the heart of the Vega Baja, with an enviable climate, interesting culture, plenty of character and a wide range of facilities and services for those thinking of moving to the Costa Blanca. The beach is only 10 minutes away and there is a golf course just 2 minutes away.

Moving to Costa Blanca
Image – Phil Friar/shutterstock

Villamartin

With its warm climate, beautiful countryside, stunning championship golf courses and proximity to the coast, Villamartin has become a popular destination for travellers and people looking at moving to Spain. It’s an authentic Spanish town with colourful patios adorned with flowers and meandering narrow streets leading to large plazas.

Moving to Costa Blanca
Villamartin Plaza. Image – Alex Tihonovs/Shutterstock

Torre de La Horadada

Torre de la Horadada has all the necessary facilities and is also only 3 minutes by car from the city centre, Pilar de la Horadada. Famous for its beautiful beaches, of which it has a total of 10, it also has a lovely small marina and is just 10-minutes away from the popular Lo Romero Golf Course.

Moving to the costa blanca
Image – Lo Romero Golf Course

Orihuela Costa

Orihuela Costa is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, golf courses, and vibrant international community. The area stretches along approximately 10 miles of coastline and includes several urbanisations and residential complexes such as Cabo Roig, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, and Punta Prima, among others. Each urbanisation offers a mix of apartments, townhouses, and villas, catering to both residents and holidaymakers.

Image – marinissim/Shutterstock

Property on the Costa Blanca

The beautiful Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, Spanish lifestyle and affordable property on the Costa Blanca have attracted an influx of people wishing to move to the area. The property market in Spain continues to grow, making now the perfect time to bite the bullet and invest in the Spanish home you have always dreamed of.

Properties cost anything from around €200,000 to around €4 million on the Costa Blanca. The further from the coast you go, the cheaper the properties are, and the area offers plenty of apartments, townhouses, houses and villas for buyers with all budgets.

Like with most things in Spain, having a professional to guide you through the process is one of the most important things to consider when buying a home. From sorting out the legalities to translating important documents, and arranging viewings to ensuring that the transaction is seen through to completion within the expected time frame – a reputable estate agent is the absolute best way to ensure a smooth and stress-free sale.

selling home torrevieja
Image – Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

What documents do I need to buy property on the Costa Blanca?

To buy a home on the Costa Blanca, or any other area in Spain, you will need many documents. The best way to ensure that you have everything in order and don’t miss anything is to buy with an experienced real estate agent who can help guide you in every step and process that you may need.  

The relevant paperwork that you will require includes:

  • Liaison throughout the transaction with representatives of the Buyer and Notary. 
  • The organisation of the Notary appointment and all paperwork related to the sale. 
  • Translation at/of the Notary. 
  • Deeds of the property. 
  • Calculation of Goodwill and a letter of “Good Standing” with your community fees from the administration of your community. 
  • Calculation and advice regarding Capital Gains Tax. 
  • Preparation of utility contracts, community charges, and “Suma” invoices. 
  • Your NIE and passport. 
  • Fiscal representation throughout the whole process. 
  • Calculation of 3 per cent retention. 
how to buy a property costa blanca
Image credit: pics five/Shutterstock.com

How to buy a property on the Costa Blanca

It can take a lot of time, paperwork and planning to buy a property on the Costa Blanca, so it’s essential that you work with a trusted local estate agency to help you to navigate all of the viewings, paperwork and legalities. In this section, we will take a quick look at the steps you need to take and how to get everything in order for the buying process.

Planning and research

The first step is to plan and research. Find out which areas appeal most to you and your lifestyle, the amenities on offer in each area, the transport links, and the types of properties.

Organise viewings

Now that you know the areas you would like to explore, next you need to book some viewings. Make a list of everything that is important to you with regards to the property and the area, and it’s a good idea to take some time getting to know the surroundings. Your estate agent may plan multiple viewings in a day to make the most of your time, be sure to take notes and photos!

The paperwork

It’s common knowledge that Spain requires a lot of paperwork when applying for residency and buying or selling property, so it’s essential that you have everything in order. You will need to get your NIE Number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero), open a Spanish bank account, and find a good lawyer or tax advisor.

Make an offer

So, you’ve chosen the property and now you need to make an offer. It is highly recommended to make any offers through your estate agent, this must include the offered price, proposed payment terms and deadlines. If you are looking to negotiate on the price, it is much safer to do this through your estate agent and this will give you a better chance of getting the property you want for your desired budget.

Contracts and completion

Once your offer has been accepted, you will need to sign a reservation contract, sign a purchase contract, and complete an official deed at the Notary.

Getting a mortgage

Like buying a property or home in the UK, there are a range of mortgages on offer which can vary according to your interest rates, repayment periods, and initial starting fees. Whether you choose a variable-rate mortgage or fixed-rate mortgage, it is essential that you hire a professional to fully understand the mortgage agreement you sign.

Notaries

Notaries are public servants whose duty is to provide free and impartial legal advice on parts of the contract pre-signature. Once a date has been set for your signing, you have three days before that to visit the notary and ask any questions that you may have. 

Post completion

Once you have completed your purchase at the Notary, paid the applicable taxes, and submitted the new title deed to the Land Registry, you must make sure that all utilities, such as water bills, electricity bills, community fees, and council taxes, are changed to your name with the appropriate bank details.

Registration

Once all property taxes have been paid, you will need to register your new house with the property registration. To do this, you will need your NIE Number, payment of ITP tax confirmed, and a copy of the vendor’s IBI tax payment.

how to buy property costa blanca
Image – FreedomZ / shutterstock.com

More estate agencies on the Costa Blanca

Mayrasa Real Estate

Mayrasa Real Estate is made up of an international team that can help clients find their perfect property in the areas of Alicante, Almeria, Murcia and Valencia. They also handle property renovations, interior design, and construction projects, as well as rental properties.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 966 263 013


Melvilla Real Estate

Located in Orihuela Costa, Melvilla Real Estate has been in business since 1999 and specialises in selling exclusive villas. The multilingual team can assist you in finding properties in Orihuela Costa, such as Campoamor, Cabo Roig, La Zenia and Playa Flamenca, as well as Torrevieja, Punta Prima and La Veleta.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 606 046 275


GoGo Estates

GoGo Estates is a Dutch-speaking agency with a wide range of houses, villas and apartments on the Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida, Costa de Almería and Costa del Sol.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 966 84 56 71


Lavanda Real Estate

Lavanda Real Estate is a family-run company based in Los Dolses, Alicante, in the South Costa Blanca. The team cover the areas of the Costa Blanca North (Denia, Calpe, Javea, etc), Costa Blanca South (Torrevieja, Villamartin, La Zenia, etc) to the Costa Calida (San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcázares, La Manga, etc).

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 618 820 651


Costa Blanca Bolig

Located in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Blanca Bolig offers re-sale properties, luxury villas, new builds and investment properties mainly on the south of Costa Blanca, such as in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, Benijofar, Benimar, Orihuela Costa, La Zenia, Campoamor, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, Pilar de Horadada, Torre de la Horadada, Mil Palmeras, Torrevieja, Punta Prima, Los Balcones, La Mata and Santa Pola.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 966 276 905


Costa Houses Luxury Villas

Costa Houses Luxury Villas offers exclusive properties such as mansions, impressive Mediterranean fincas, chalets and luxury villas with spectacular sea views in the most beautiful scenery along the coastline of Jávea, Moraira, Dénia and Benissa (Costa Blanca North).

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 662 109 852


Barclays Properties

Barclays Properties serve those who are looking to buy a home in La Marina Urbanisation, Torrevieja, Benijofar and the surrounding areas. The international team can help you in your language including English, Spanish and French.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 676 92 07 52


Bindley Properties

Bindley Properties helps clients to find the perfect property in El Portet, Moraira, Benimeit, Benissa, Benitachell, Javea Calpe and Pla del Mar. Discover villas, apartments, plots and bargain properties, with the multilingual team available to help you in English, Spanish, Dutch, and French.

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 965 049 701


Vincent Real Estate

Offering professional support in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Norwegian and Swedish, Vincent Real Estate has been helping clients on the Costa Blanca since 1999. The team can help you to find bargain property, new property and resale properties in the South Costa Blanca and Costa Calida, with offices in Benijofar and Playa Flamenca (Orihuela Costa).

Website: Click here

Telephone: +34 965 326 606

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Written by

Laura Kemp

Originally from UK, Laura is based in Axarquia and is a writer for the Euro Weekly News covering news and features. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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