Buy Real Estate in Spain: Your Guide to Coastal Properties

Choosing where and what to buy on Spain’s south‑east coasts is a trade‑off between coast, town and property type. Sunny Casas’ live medians show the Costa Blanca at €2,781/m² (64 towns; 2026‑07‑01) and the Costa Cálida at €1,900/m² (29 towns; 2026‑07‑01). Decide the coast and lifestyle first, then match a property type to how you will use it, and plan for taxes and legal checks.

If you want a deeper primer before you shortlist, you can buy real estate in Spain with our step‑by‑step coastal guide for these areas. For a structured walk‑through, also see Buy a Holiday Home in Spain: Your Definitive Guide.

What we actually list there: 117 of our 615 current listings in Torrevieja are new builds and 498 are resales (a count of our own stock, not an estimate). OUR asking price per m² in Torrevieja: ~€2,797/m² — the median across the 583 of our 615 active listings there that carry both a price and a size. This is our own live stock, measured today; no competitor or SEO tool has this number.

We currently have 615 active listings in Torrevieja priced €84,900–€2,490,000. Average size of our Torrevieja listings: ~108 m². For wider context, Reference median for the area: ~€2,548/m² — a THIRD-PARTY asking-price figure, dated 2026-05-01, NOT our data. Prefer our own number above; if you use this one, present it as a wider market reference and never as ours. By property type (same third-party reference): house ~€2,675/m², villa ~€3,058/m², studio ~€2,752/m², apartment ~€2,548/m², penthouse ~€3,058/m², townhouse ~€2,675/m².

Spain remains open to international buyers, and the property market on the Costa Blanca (Alicante province) and the Costa Cálida (Murcia region) gives you two clear property price bands and town types to choose from. Our figures are asking‑price medians from live listings, not sold prices and not a market‑wide statistic, so you can see what sellers are asking today.

To browse options and find properties by town, start with our area primer: Discover Top Property for Sale in Spain's Costa Blanca, including tips on selling property later when your needs change.

This is a liquid, year‑round Spanish real estate market with strong demand from the UK, Ireland and northern Europe. Stock is diverse: frontline seafront apartments, golf‑adjacent villas, and urban resales from different build eras. Sellers include private owners and a steady flow of developer releases.

From our Torrevieja stock, the median distance to the sea or nearest beach is 613 m, the closest listing sits 1 m from the water, and the median distance to Alicante Airport is 35.4 km (measured per listing from our own coordinates — a fact no competitor page can state).

Spain has withdrawn the property‑based residency route often called the golden visa; when it existed, the minimum investment for Golden Visa is €500,000.

Pick the coast by lifestyle and price band. Our figures show the Costa Blanca’s median at €2,781/m² across 64 towns. The Costa Cálida sits at €1,900/m² across 29 towns (Sunny Casas, medians as of 2026‑07‑01). The northern stretch offers more urban variety and established services; Cálida trades some bustle for the Mar Menor and lower entry prices.

Here is a compact comparison using our own medians:

The northern coast suits buyers who want Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Finestrat or Calpe and easy year‑round amenities. Pick Cálida if Los Alcázares, San Pedro del Pinatar, Cartagena or Águilas appeal, with the Mar Menor in the mix. For a coast‑level market view, see our Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida market overview.

Choose the town by how you’ll live, not by a holiday memory alone. Orihuela Costa (272 listings) sits at €294,975 and €3,216/m². On the Cálida, Los Alcázares (84 listings) shows €365,250 and €3,577/m². These are Sunny Casas asking medians; counts shown.

• Value with services: Torrevieja and Guardamar del Segura work well for lock‑up‑and‑leave flats and year‑round life.
• Beach‑golf mix: Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar balance beaches and courses.
• Panoramas and newer builds: Finestrat and Calpe run higher per m² for sea‑view apartments and villas.
• Mar Menor lifestyle: Los Alcázares and La Manga area focus on water sports and flat promenades; Águilas offers calmer coves.

For area‑by‑area buying notes on Blanca, use our Costa Blanca buying guide. For Cálida specifics, our Costa Cálida house‑buying guide covers the Mar Menor towns in detail.

On the Costa Blanca, our active apartment stock shows this today: Costa Blanca · property type: Apartment · our active listings: 752 · median asking price €240,000 · median €2,921/m². Detached homes show: Costa Blanca · property type: Detached · our active listings: 201 · median asking price €570,400 · median €3,471/m². Penthouses stand at: Costa Blanca · property type: Penthouse · our active listings: 195 · median asking price €349,000 · median €3,140/m².

Ground‑floor homes show: Costa Blanca · property type: Ground Floor · our active listings: 118 · median asking price €310,000 · median €3,178/m². These are Sunny Casas asking medians on current listings — not sold prices and not a market‑wide stat.

We also track category medians for houses and bungalows. Costa Blanca · property type: House · our active listings: 104 · median asking price €267,000 · median €2,591/m². Costa Blanca · property type: Bungalow · our active listings: 73 · median asking price €180,000 · median €3,133/m².

Townhouses and bungalows are strong mid‑range choices. Our terraced homes (77 listings) carry a median of €384,900 at €3,296/m². Low bungalows (77 listings) show €305,000 at €3,583/m². High bungalows (70 listings) are €322,500 at €3,714/m². On the Cálida, penthouses (42 listings) show a higher €4,157/m² median. That is despite lower coast medians overall, reflecting sea‑view and frontline blocks.

Match the type to use: apartments for low‑maintenance holidays, terraced for families near services, detached villas for privacy and a pool. If you’re weighing types against your budget and running costs, our team can walk you through local community fees and typical energy ratings for each build era. If you plan to build property or take on a heavy reform, place those costs next to available resale property so you see the full picture.

Both work; the choice is timing, guarantees and taxes. New builds bring 10‑year structural cover and modern efficiency; resale offers established communities and fewer snagging surprises. Tax treatment differs (ITP for resale; VAT for new build). Confirm current rates with your lawyer or the regional tax office, and budget notary and registry fees too. On new developments, stage payments tie to milestones; insist on bank guarantees for each payment.

For resale, focus due diligence on the nota simple (Land Registry extract) to confirm ownership, charges and any embargoes — you can check Land Registry functions at Registradores de España. Completion always happens in front of a notario (public notary); their role and the escritura (deed) process are explained by the Spanish Notaries.

If you’re still deciding, our legal steps to buy a home in Spain compares the two paths, including timelines and typical Spain costs you face at each stage.

Yes. Foreigners can buy property and hold full property ownership (freehold) here. You need an NIE Number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), a passport and funds you can evidence. Property registration at the Land Registry secures your title after completion, and Spain still uses a civil‑law system of Spanish real property rights (derechos reales) that sits alongside contract law. Spain remains an open market for overseas buyers.

For the NIE and identity paperwork, see our checklist: Documents Needed for the NIE Number in Spain: Checklist. If you’re searching for lower‑cost homes near the beach, start with Torrevieja or Guardamar del Segura for older blocks within walking distance; our listings show exact distances to the sea. If you are applying from outside Spain, UK buyers often use the Spanish Consulate in London; see our Spanish Consulate Manchester NIE Appointment Guide.

Hunting for lower‑budget “affordable” options? Filter by price, focus on solid resales that may need work, and have your lawyer check the legal position before you commit. Buyers in Ireland follow the same route via Spain’s embassy or consulate there.

The buying process has clear steps. First you reserve, then your lawyer completes checks, then you sign a private contract and complete before a notary. The time between reservation and completion depends on searches, mortgage approval and seller readiness. With finance, build in time for the bank valuation and compliance; with cash, plan for notary slots and property registration. Your lawyer will set realistic dates in the contract.

The right time is when the coast, town and property type you want are available at a price you accept — not when a headline suggests it. Our live Blanca medians range by town from €2,692/m² in Algorfa (46 listings) to €4,048/m² in Calpe (37 listings). That spread lets you adjust location rather than downgrade property.

On the Cálida, Los Alcázares’ €3,577/m² (84 listings) contrasts with Águilas at €4,400/m² (25 listings), driven by sea‑view stock in newer schemes. Use our data as a reality check, then act when a property meets your brief and passes legal checks.

For a coast‑wide picture updated from current listings, read our coast market overview, including which towns suit different briefs — beach‑first, golf‑focused or family amenities — so you can decide the best place to buy for your plan, and plan for selling property later.

Annual municipal property tax (IBI) typically ranges from 0.2% to 1.5%; confirm your property’s current rate with the town hall.

Our 2026 Spain buying steps expands each phase — from AML source‑of‑funds checks at the Spanish bank to timings between reservation, searches and completion — so you can plan Spain requirements for owning property with no surprises.

If you will transfer large sums from outside Spain, use a regulated channel. UK‑regulated currency firms such as Lumon Pay Ltd and Lumon Risk Management Ltd are supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority, as are UK banks. We do not endorse any provider, but you should use a regulated one.

The risks are known and avoidable. The common failures are: paying a deposit before checking the nota simple, ignoring Catastro‑Registry mismatches, overlooking coastal protection limits, and missing community debts and licences. Fix these with documents, not promises, and make the seller provide what the law requires before you commit.

For a fuller risk list we see on Blanca and Cálida files when buying property, read our Spain property risks guide. For a legal walk‑through of Spain’s steps, firms like Pellicer & Heredia also publish step‑by‑step explanations you can use for context while your own lawyer acts. Homes under €70,000 do come up on these coasts, most often older apartments in Torrevieja or inland Murcia towns; confirm condition and community rules before you offer.

Owning does not grant residency. Non‑EU/UK nationals usually stay up to 90 days in any 180‑day period without a visa. Visa routes exist for longer stays. Each has its own financial‑means rules set by Spain and applied by consulates — see official guidance at exteriores.gob.es. Buying is not a shortcut to residence.

Spain has withdrawn the property‑based residence route often called the “golden visa”; legal changes are published in the State Gazette at boe.es.

Yes. UK citizens can buy property and own it outright. The purchase process is the same as for other non‑residents. Spain still treats property purchase and immigration separately, so you can buy without a visa; longer stays require the proper visa. Below €30,000, options are rare and usually need full renovation — budget for legal checks and works if you target that end of the market.

For practical points on funding and paperwork, see our guide for UK citizens buying. Stock under €50,000 does come up — usually older studios or small apartments — so set alerts and be ready to act when paperwork checks out. If you need English help at the notary, ask in advance; most notaries in Alicante and Murcia will arrange an English interpreter.

Plan for purchase taxes (resale transfer tax or new‑build VAT), notary and registry fees, a lawyer, translations if needed, and bank transfer or mortgage costs. Spain doesn’t use Zillow; rely on Spanish portals and our live listings for availability and pricing on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida. Annual Spain taxes after completion include IBI (municipal property tax) and, if you rent the home out, income tax on rental income. Check current rates with the tax authority at sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es.

Region matters: ITP is set by the Valencian Community (Costa Blanca towns) or the Region of Murcia (Costa Cálida towns), and rates can change. For a clear breakdown of property purchase taxes and ongoing property taxes, see our guide to Spain buyer taxes. We also explain seller costs and plusvalía there, so buyers can see both sides of the ledger when buying or selling property.

Property prices at completion can also be affected by features and documentation. Keep aside a budget for smaller items like translations and registry copies so the property transfer runs smoothly through property registration.

There is no 100% property tax in Spain. You will pay ITP or VAT on purchase, IBI each year, and possibly wealth or income taxes depending on your use and status. Proposals in the media can change, but current law is published in the State Gazette at boe.es and tax rules sit with the Agencia Tributaria at sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es. Confirm today’s rates with your lawyer or the tax office rather than relying on headlines.

Views, pools and secure parking carry a premium here, but treat them as guidance, not guarantees. Our own valuation model for these coasts adds about +4% to +6% for a sea view. It adds about +2% to +4% for a private pool. Direct beach access is about +2% to +3%. A golf view is +2%. A garage is +2%. A communal pool is +2%.

Those are the multipliers our internal model applies on these coasts — they are not observed sale premiums or an official statistic. Use them to compare listings like‑for‑like while you search. If you are considering building or a heavy reform, our model uses €1,350–€1,600/m² as a construction cost band for built area. That is a build budget, not a selling price.

Both routes work. Buying with cash simplifies the timeline and removes lender conditions; our guide to buying with cash in Spain explains how to evidence funds and plan currency. A Spanish mortgage can preserve liquidity and hedge currency risk, but adds valuation, bank compliance and timing.

Banks will require NIEs for all borrowers, source‑of‑funds checks, and a tasación (valuation) on the property. Allow time between approval and completion. Do not pay a non‑refundable deposit until finance is secure. Whether cash or loan, run all payments through your Spanish bank so utilities and taxes can be set to direct debit after completion. For non‑resident lending details, read Spanish Mortgages for UK Buyers: Key Insights for 2026.

You can buy via a Spanish SL company or a foreign company, but structure affects Spain taxes, accounting and mortgage terms. Some buyers use a company for succession planning or to hold multiple properties. This is a legal‑tax choice: get advice from your property lawyer and accountant before you commit to a path.

We outline pros, cons and Spain requirements in our guide to buying via a company. If you expect to let the home, ask about local tourist‑use rules in your town hall. Licensing is municipal or regional. It can affect what you can do with the property. If your funds come from outside Spain, document the origin with your bank. That keeps AML checks quick.

Do not reserve until the key papers are in hand and reviewed. Your property lawyer should obtain the nota simple (owner, charges, planning notes). They should also check the Catastro plan and the stated surfaces. Confirm the first‑occupation licence where needed. Verify the community is current on major works and debts. This is standard practice here, not a special ask.

• Nota simple and title: background at registradores.org.
• Catastro: parcel, use and surfaces at sedecatastro.gob.es.
• Notary: the public official who reads and signs the deed, at notariado.org.
• Taxes and NIF/NIE matters: official portal at Agencia Tributaria.

If you need an area primer before paperwork, our complete buyer’s guide links each Spain step to what you actually sign and pay.

Completion before the notary triggers registration and handover. Your property lawyer lodges the deed for inscription at the Land Registry. Utilities and IBI direct debits switch to your Spanish bank. You collect any community access keys or fobs. Keep a file with the escritura, latest recibos (bills) and your nota simple for future checks or a later sale.

Plan Spain after‑purchase steps in your first week: readings for water and electricity, community introduction with the administrator, and setting up waste‑collection payments if billed separately. If you plan to let the home short‑term, ask the town hall about current tourist‑use rules. These change, and compliance sits with you as owner. If you need local help on the ground in Torrevieja, our guide to choosing an estate agent in Torrevieja explains how to assess service and coverage.

Work with estate agents who cover your target towns and property type. Look for Spanish and English support, clear comparables, and coverage of both new‑build and resale property.

In Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, real estate agents with on‑the‑ground teams can arrange notary slots in Alicante province, coordinate developer snagging, and manage access for surveys while you and your estate lawyer handle due diligence.

Use written briefs so agents can filter and find properties that match your use, budget and timings. If you plan on selling property later, ask how they collect documents and market listings beyond a single portal. For a detailed checklist, see Choosing Estate Agents in Torrevieja, Spain: Key Tips.

Use live numbers to shortlist with confidence. On the Blanca, Finestrat (63 listings) shows a median asking price of €695,000 at €3,778/m², reflecting newer hill‑side villas and sea views. Guardamar del Segura (78 listings) sits at €291,950 and €3,141/m² for beach‑adjacent apartments. Rojales (72 listings) runs at €397,000 and €3,180/m² with golf‑adjacent villas.

On the Cálida, San Pedro del Pinatar (36 listings) shows €299,925 at €3,135/m². Detached homes across that coast (96 listings) carry a €437,000 median at €3,315/m². These are Sunny Casas asking medians on our current listings — not sold prices and not a market‑wide statistic. To act on a shortlist, start with our Buying Property service and the Spain property essentials you will sign and pay.