Buying property on the Costa Blanca with a dedicated expert

The Costa Blanca stretches along the Alicante province coastline and is broadly divided into the Costa Blanca North and Costa Blanca South, each with distinct price levels and buyer profiles.

• Jávea (Xàbia) — North: One of the most sought-after addresses on the coast. Purchase prices range from €3,000 to €5,000 EUR per m², with a focus on upscale villas and premium coastal apartments. Popular with British, German and Dutch buyers (source: morairainvest.com, 2024).
• Moraira — North: An exclusive, small-scale resort town. Property prices range from €2,500 to €4,500 EUR per m², attracting buyers seeking luxury villas and a quieter lifestyle (source: morairainvest.com, 2024).
• Calpe — North: Popular with both permanent residents and holiday buyers. Average purchase prices around €2,800 EUR per m², with premium sea-view villas reaching €4,500 EUR per m² (source: morairainvest.com, 2024).
• Altea — North: A blend of traditional and modern properties. Apartments start from approximately €200,000 EUR, while luxury villas with panoramic sea views exceed €1,000,000 EUR (source: bindleyproperties.com, 2024).
• Benidorm — North/Central: A high-density tourism hub with a dynamic resale market. Prices average around €3,175 EUR per m², driven by strong visitor demand (source: bindleyproperties.com, 2024).
• Alicante city — Central: The provincial capital offers urban living with prices averaging €2,265 EUR per m² as of April 2025, having risen 18.2% year-on-year (source: Investropa, citing Idealista, June 2025).
• Orihuela Costa — South: Coastal prices range from €2,500 to €3,600 EUR per m², while inland areas offer more affordable options at €1,200 to €2,100 EUR per m² (source: camiro.es, 2025).
• Torrevieja — South: One of the most affordable coastal locations. Coastal purchase prices range from €2,000 to €3,100 EUR per m², with an average of approximately €1,604 EUR per m² across the municipality (source: camiro.es, 2025; theleader.info, 2025).

1. Obtain your NIE: Apply for your Spanish tax identification number before or at the start of your property search. Without it, no purchase can proceed.
2. Open a Spanish bank account: Required to transfer funds for the deposit and final purchase price.
3. Appoint an independent lawyer: Engage a solicitor specialising in Spanish property law to protect your interests throughout the transaction.
4. Property search and viewings: Identify suitable properties through local agents, online portals and developer showrooms across the Costa Blanca.
5. Make an offer: Submit a written offer through the agent. Once accepted, the process moves to reservation.
6. Reservation agreement and deposit: A reservation fee (typically €3,000 EUR to €6,000 EUR) is paid to take the property off the market while due diligence is carried out.
7. Legal due diligence: Your lawyer verifies ownership via the Nota Simple, checks for debts, mortgages or encumbrances, confirms cadastral records, and reviews planning compliance.
8. Contrato de Arras (Private Purchase Contract): A formal preliminary contract is signed between buyer and seller, with a deposit of typically 10% of the purchase price. If the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit; if the buyer withdraws, the deposit is forfeited (source: maisoncostablanca.com).
9. Mortgage arrangement (if applicable): Finalise financing with your chosen lender. A bank valuation of the property will be required.
10. Escritura Pública — Notarial Deed: The final deed of sale is signed before a Spanish notary, who confirms legal compliance. The balance of the purchase price is paid at this stage.
11. Registration and taxes: Your lawyer registers the property in your name at the Land Registry and settles all applicable taxes (ITP or VAT+AJD) within the statutory deadlines.

Non-resident buyers can access Spanish mortgages to finance a property purchase on the Costa Blanca, though lending conditions are generally stricter than for residents.

• Loan-to-Value (LTV): Spanish banks typically lend non-residents between 60% and 70% of the property's appraised value, meaning a minimum down payment of 30% to 40% of the purchase price is required (source: traverseinternationalfinance.com, 2025; granfield-estate.com).
• Interest rates: Non-residents can generally access rates in the 3% to 4.5% range, depending on the lender, loan type and individual profile (source: traverseinternationalfinance.com, 2025; housingcostablanca.com). Variable-rate mortgages are typically indexed to Euribor plus a margin.
• Maximum loan term: Usually capped at 25 years for non-residents, compared to up to 30 years for residents (source: granfield-estate.com).
• Required documents: Lenders typically require proof of income (last two to three years of tax returns or payslips), bank statements, a valid passport, NIE, and details of existing financial commitments.
• Bank valuation: The lender will commission an independent appraisal (tasación) of the property, which determines the maximum loan amount regardless of the agreed purchase price.
• Currency considerations: Buyers earning income in a currency other than euros should factor in exchange rate risk when planning repayments.

It is advisable to obtain a mortgage pre-approval before making an offer, as this strengthens your negotiating position and confirms your purchasing capacity.

When purchasing property on the Costa Blanca, buyers work with several professionals whose fees form part of the total acquisition cost.

• Estate agent fees: In Spain, agency commission is traditionally paid by the seller, not the buyer. Commission rates typically range from 3% to 5% of the sale price, though this varies by agency and property type. Buyers should confirm the fee structure with the agent before proceeding.
• Independent lawyer (solicitor): Strongly recommended for all buyers. Legal fees generally range from 1% to 1.5% of the purchase price, covering due diligence, contract review, tax filings and registration. Some firms charge a fixed fee for standard transactions.
• Notary fees: The notary is a public official who formalises the deed of sale (Escritura Pública). Fees are regulated and typically range from €800 EUR to €1,500 EUR, depending on the property value and complexity (source: gold-bricks.com).
• Land Registry fees: Registration of the new ownership costs approximately €500 EUR to €1,000 EUR (source: gold-bricks.com).
• Mortgage arrangement fees: If financing is used, the bank may charge an arrangement fee, and a mandatory independent property valuation (tasación) typically costs between €300 EUR and €600 EUR.
• Gestoría (administrative agent): Some buyers engage a gestoría to handle tax payments and administrative filings post-completion; fees are usually modest and fixed.