This expat hotspot just ranked among the most transparent in Spain

Torrevieja has been named the most transparent municipality in the Valencian Community, according to the latest data from the DYNTRA transparency index, placing the Costa Blanca South city at the top of the regional ranking. The city achieved a score of 85.8 per cent, making it the highest-ranked municipality in the region and placing it 22nd overall in Spain. The index evaluates public administrations based on criteria such as institutional transparency, public spending, communication, and citizen participation.

What the ranking is based on

The DYNTRA index, widely used to assess transparency in public institutions, measures how accessible and open local governments are with information. This includes the publication of budgets, contracts, urban planning data, and the ease with which residents can access municipal information online.

Torrevieja’s strong result reflects improvements across several of these areas, particularly in making public information more readily available and easier to navigate for residents. Transparency rankings like this are increasingly important as local administrations face growing expectations around accountability and communication, especially in areas with a high number of international residents.

Why this is an important achievement

For people living in Torrevieja, including many foreign residents, higher transparency can make everyday interactions with local authorities simpler and more predictable. Access to clear information about planning, spending and local decisions can help residents better understand how the municipality operates.

It can also build greater trust between citizens and local government, particularly in fast-growing areas where demand for services and infrastructure continues to rise. While rankings do not always reflect the full day-to-day experience of residents, they provide an indicator of how local administrations are performing in terms of openness and accountability.

Torrevieja’s position at the top of the regional ranking suggests a shift towards more structured and accessible governance, aligning with broader trends across Spain to modernise public administration and improve communication with residents.