Buying property in Alicante with a dedicated expert

Purchase prices in Alicante vary significantly by neighbourhood, reflecting proximity to the coast, property type, and local amenities. The following profiles are based on data from Idealista and Investropa (June 2025).

• Playa de San Juan / Cabo de las Huertas — The most expensive coastal area. Modern apartments with direct beach access and landscaped surroundings. Purchase prices: €3,000–€5,000+ EUR/m². Frontline properties from €250,000 EUR (source: Idealista / Investropa, 2025).
• City Centre (Centro) — Historic charm, pedestrianised streets, and renovated period buildings. Prices exceed €3,000 EUR/m², making it one of the two most expensive zones in the city (source: Idealista, June 2025).
• Ensanche / Diputación — Business and commercial hub with broad avenues, contemporary architecture, and upscale amenities. Two-bedroom apartments from approximately €150,000 EUR (source: Granfield Estate, 2025).
• Albufereta / Vistahermosa — Peaceful residential areas with villas, many offering sea views. Prized for their tranquillity and proximity to the coast (source: Idealista, 2025).
• San Blas-PAU / Villafranqueza — Emerging residential neighbourhoods recording purchase price growth above 22% in 2025. More affordable entry points with strong appreciation momentum (source: Investropa, 2026).
• Carolinas / Los Angeles — More affordable inland residential areas. Entry-level apartments from approximately €110,000 EUR (source: Investropa, 2025).
• Virgen del Remedio – Juan XXIII — The most affordable area in the city, with purchase prices around €1,067 EUR/m² — roughly one-third of the price of the most expensive zones (source: Idealista, June 2025).

1. Obtain your NIE — Apply for your Spanish tax identification number at the Policía Nacional or through a Spanish consulate abroad. This is required before signing any binding contract (source: Granfield Estate, 2025).
2. Open a Spanish bank account — Necessary to pay taxes, notary fees, and to receive mortgage disbursements.
3. Define your budget and obtain mortgage pre-approval — If financing, approach Spanish banks or a mortgage broker early. Non-residents are typically offered 60%–70% LTV (source: Wise, 2025).
4. Property search and viewings — Identify properties through local agents, portals such as Idealista or Fotocasa, or a buyer's agent. Arrange in-person or virtual viewings.
5. Legal due diligence — Instruct an independent lawyer to obtain the Nota Simple, verify ownership, check for charges, confirm planning status, and review community fees and IBI payments.
6. Make an offer — Negotiate the purchase price directly or through your agent. In Alicante, properties typically sell 3%–7% below the asking price as of early 2026 (source: Investropa, 2026).
7. Sign the Reservation Contract (Contrato de Reserva) — A small deposit (typically €3,000–€6,000 EUR) is paid to take the property off the market while due diligence is completed.
8. Sign the Arras Agreement (Contrato de Arras Penitenciales) — A private purchase contract where the buyer pays approximately 10% of the purchase price. If the buyer withdraws, the deposit is forfeited; if the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit.
9. Mortgage formalisation — If financing, the bank orders a tasación (valuation) and issues the formal mortgage offer. Spanish law requires a 10-day reflection period before signing.
10. Sign the Escritura Pública (Title Deed) at the Notary — Both parties sign before a Spanish notary. The buyer pays the purchase price (minus the arras deposit), and ownership is transferred.
11. Pay taxes and fees — ITP or IVA+AJD, notary fees, and land registry fees must be settled, typically coordinated by the gestoría.
12. Register the property — The notary or gestoría submits the deed to the Registro de la Propiedad for registration in the buyer's name.

Spanish banks do lend to non-resident buyers in Alicante, but on more conservative terms than for residents.

• Loan-to-Value (LTV): non-residents are typically offered 60%–70% LTV, meaning a deposit of 30%–40% of the purchase price is required (source: Wise, 2025; Terreta, July 2025).
• Total funds required: in addition to the deposit, buyers must cover purchase costs of 10%–13% (taxes, notary, legal fees). A non-resident purchasing a property at €500,000 EUR should therefore have approximately €215,000–€225,000 EUR in available funds.
• Mortgage term: generally 20–25 years, with full repayment required before the borrower reaches age 75 (source: Terreta, July 2025).
• Interest rates: indicatively in the range of 3%–5% depending on borrower profile, income currency, and chosen product (fixed or variable) as of July 2025 (source: Terreta, July 2025).
• Key requirements: valid passport, NIE, proof of income (payslips, tax returns, or company accounts for the self-employed), bank statements, and a property valuation (tasación) costing €300–€700 EUR.
• Spanish bank account: required by all lenders for mortgage repayment direct debits.
• Mortgage broker: using a bilingual broker familiar with the Spanish system is strongly recommended for non-residents to compare offers from multiple lenders (source: Wise, 2025).
• Reflection period: Spanish law mandates a 10-day cooling-off period after the bank issues the formal mortgage offer before the deed can be signed.

When purchasing property in Alicante, buyers typically work with several professionals whose fees form part of the total acquisition cost.

• Real estate agent commission: in most transactions, the agent's commission is paid by the seller, typically 3%–6% + 21% IVA of the final sale price. In some cases — such as purchases from private owners or directly from developers — the buyer may be asked to contribute (source: SpainEasy / Real Estate Agencies Commissions, 2025).
• Independent lawyer (abogado): strongly recommended for all buyers. Legal fees typically range from 1.25%–1.5% of the purchase price, with a minimum fee. Services include due diligence, reviewing contracts, verifying the Nota Simple, and attending the notary signing (source: Platinum Legal Spain, 2025).
• Notary fees: €800–€3,000 EUR depending on the property value, paid by the buyer at the time of signing the Escritura Pública (source: Platinum Legal Spain, 2025).
• Gestoría: approximately €300–€500 EUR for coordinating tax submissions, land registry registration, and liaison between the notary, bank, and buyer (source: Granfield Estate, 2025).
• Property valuation (tasación): €300–€700 EUR, required by the bank if a mortgage is taken out (source: Granfield Estate, 2025).
• Land Registry fees: €500–€2,500 EUR for registering the title deed in the buyer's name (source: Platinum Legal Spain, 2025).

Buyers should request a written fee agreement from each professional before instructing them, and confirm whether VAT (IVA at 21%) is included in quoted amounts.