Your Complete Guide to Buying a Second Home on Costa Blanca

Apartments for Sale on Spain’s Costa Blanca: A Complete Buyer’s Guide Financial Most buyers choose first by area (south for value and easy access, north for scenery and smaller bays), then by property type (new-build vs resale) — and their financial plan for the home purchase, including duty. In Torrevieja, our live stock shows 117 new builds and 485 resales — clear choice on both sides.

Contact We currently list 602 properties there across €89,900–€2,490,000, with a median 615 m to the sea and about 35.5 km to Alicante Airport — contact us to request the full dataset for second home analysis and second home planning. Start with your must‑haves, then view.

Why buy an apartment on the Costa Blanca?

You get a Mediterranean coastline with long beaches, year‑round services, and two airports (Alicante and Murcia) serving the region, clear stamp duty rules, and strong links for second homes and home viewings. South offers more supply and sharper pricing; north offers dramatic coves and smaller blocks. We see steady demand across Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Altea, Calpe, Benidorm, Moraira, and Jávea. If sea views matter, shortlist buildings near promenades and check orientation before you fly.

• Compare active stock fast: browse our up‑to‑date Costa Blanca apartments collection.
• In Torrevieja alone, our own asking-price median is ~€2,781/m² across live listings (574 with both price and size) — a practical pricing benchmark for south-coast buyers. Key coastal areas: Costa Blanca South vs North Both coasts sell well; buyers pick south for access and value, north for scenery and smaller communities. South features long sandy beaches and large urbanisations; north features cliffs, coves and low‑rise blocks — property settings that suit different buyers. Many buyers fly from London and other UK hubs. Expect more choice and easier parking in the south, and more bay-and-harbour settings in the north.

South (Torrevieja to Pilar de la Horadada)

• Torrevieja & Orihuela Costa (La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig): big choice, boardwalks, marinas, and golf inland at Villamartín and Las Ramblas. See our Torrevieja sea‑view homes.
• Guardamar del Segura: dunes, pine forests, long strands, quieter winter profile.
• Pilar de la Horadada & Mil Palmeras: low‑rise streets, beach chiringuitos, quick access to the Murcia region. North (Alicante to Dénia)
• Altea & Altea Hills: old town charm and bay views; terraces step down the hillside.
• Benidorm: high‑rise beachfront, full city services; check our Benidorm sea‑view listings.
• Calpe & Moraira: the Peñón de Ifach frames Calpe; Moraira offers small marinas and privacy. Explore Calpe sea‑view properties.
• Jávea (Xàbia): coves like Granadella and Barraca; many apartments sit behind coves, so confirm views. Compact comparison

What apartment types can you buy here?

Duty

You can choose beachfront, near‑beach, or town‑centre flats; new builds with lifts and pools; resales in established communities; ground‑floor terraces or top‑floor penthouses — and check any duty and regional fees with your lawyer before you purchase as a second home. New builds bring modern systems and developer guarantees — good for a second home; resales bring mature gardens and often better locations by the promenade.

Where to find apartments for sale on the Costa Blanca, Spain Start with accurate, live data. Our Costa Blanca apartment listings update daily and filter by area, budget, beds, property type (new build or resale). Let

Where to find apartments for sale on the Costa Blanca, Spain Start with accurate, live data. Our Costa Blanca apartment listings update daily and filter by area, budget, beds, property type (new build or resale). Let

For new stock, see Alicante new builds, Benidorm new builds, or Torrevieja new builds — for apartment or house research, or to let a holiday home. Prefer established communities? Browse our resale selection.

• Set a brief: coast slice, max budget, min beds, must‑haves (lift, pool, garage, sea views).
• Book virtual tours to shortlist; then plan an on‑site day for the top 4–6 homes. How to secure an apartment: offer to keys Most buyers reserve, sign a private contract, then complete at the notary. You will need a NIE (foreigner ID number) and funds proof. A simple, clean timeline keeps stress low; your lawyer checks title, debts, licences, and what you must pay before you commit to completion.
• Due diligence: your lawyer orders a land‑registry extract (nota simple) from the Colegio de Registradores; you can read about the registry at Registradores.
• Reservation and contrato de arras (private contract): deposit and agreed timeline.
• Completion: you sign the deed (escritura) before a notary — process explained by the Spanish Notaries. Buying process and legal requirements (Spain) Foreigners can buy in Spain. You obtain a NIE, open a Spanish account for charges, and appoint a Spanish lawyer. On completion you pay taxes (IVA on new builds or ITP on resales), plus notary and registry fees. Confirm current tax rates with your lawyer or the Spanish Tax Agency and compare bank mortgages.
• Title and debts: your lawyer checks the nota simple and local charges before contract.
• New builds: ensure a bank guarantee on stage payments and verify the first occupancy licence.
• Registration: after the notary, the deed is filed at the Land Registry; utilities transfer follows. Costs, ownership fees and financing Your budget must cover taxes, notary, registry, legal fees, and ongoing ownership costs. Communities charge monthly/quarterly fees; town halls bill IBI (local property tax). If you sell later, check capital gains tax with your lawyer or the Spanish Tax Agency.

Holiday Sellers must provide an Energy Performance Certificate; Spain’s framework is set by Royal Decrees published on BOE. For holiday lets, ensure the EPC is available in the listing. Non‑residents can access Spanish mortgages; each bank sets its own criteria.

• Check cadastral details (surface, use class) on the official Catastro.
• For short‑term letting, Alicante and Murcia apply regional tourist‑use rules; register the dwelling where required and confirm current rules with the regional tourism authority. New build or resale — which fits your plan?

Pick new build if you want modern layouts, lifts, parking, and warranty. Choose resale if you want a central spot near the promenade or quicker completion. In Torrevieja today we carry both sides: 117 new builds and 485 resales. Second property Our live median asking price across Torrevieja listings is ~€2,781/m², with an average property size close to 109 m² — solid reference points while you compare a second home.

Can foreigners and UK citizens buy in Spain?

Yes. Any foreigner, including UK citizens, can buy property in Spain. The steps are the same for all nationalities: get a NIE, hire an independent lawyer, and complete at the notary — and confirm local tax rates. Owning property does not grant residency or special entry rights. Investment

UK nationals can check entry rules on GOV.UK and residence visas on Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — official advice for investment or work routes and mortgage options for your home purchase.

Can I live in Spain permanently if I buy, and how long can I stay?

Buying does not give residence. Stays depend on your passport and visa. Stamp UK nationals can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180‑day period without a visa. Your passport may receive an entry stamp on arrival; longer stays require an approved residence permit (for example, work, study, family). See the travel rules on GOV.UK for your home country and residence information at exteriores.gob.es.

Is it wise to buy a property now?

The right time is when the area, budget, and use‑case line up. Focus on facts you can verify: supply, condition, fees, and exit options. Mortgage In Torrevieja we currently have 602 active listings between €89,900 and €2,490,000.

The median is 615 m to the sea and around 35.5 km from Alicante Airport — concrete signals of depth and access for a let mortgage or standard mortgage buyer. Want a full step‑through? Read our Spain buying guide with legal steps.

Is La Zenia a good place to buy an apartment?

La Zenia (Orihuela Costa, with a double ll) suits buyers who want beaches, golf nearby, and a large retail centre (Zenia Boulevard) within a compact area. Blocks vary from walk‑to‑beach to golf‑adjacent. Two airports serve the area: Alicante‑Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC) and Región de Murcia International (RMU). Choose based on flight routes and schedules.

Where are the lowest asking prices on the coast locally?

On the southern Costa Blanca and around the Mar Menor, you will find the widest range of budget apartments — re: budget choice. Stamp duty

Many first‑time home buyers start in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, Pilar de la Horadada, and — across the regional border — Los Alcázares or San Javier, and discuss applicable AJD (stamp duty) with your lawyer for a home purchase — including many from England seeking a holiday home. In Torrevieja, our current median asking price sits at ~€2,781/m² — an useful anchor while you compare areas as you plan your deposit.

Next steps with a local team

• Shortlist faster: browse all Costa Blanca apartments and save favourites.
• Compare both sides of the market: new builds across the coast and resale communities.
• Learn the process in your language: our Costa Blanca buying guide covers due diligence, taxes, and timelines with plain steps. We’ve handled 100+ international completions across Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Altea, Calpe, Benidorm, Moraira and Jávea, and can point you to official tax guidance. Tell us your budget, target area, and non‑negotiables (sea views, lift, parking). We will line up viewings and give you the facts to decide.