Apartment Costa Blanca: prices, areas, buying 2026

In short: Buying an apartment on the Costa Blanca in 2026 remains a solid opportunity for international buyers. The market is active, average asking prices range from around €2,550/m² in Torrevieja to over €3,500/m² in Calpe, Altea or Benidorm (indicative, idealista, 2026), and the procedures are manageable with the right support. Here are the key points to know before you start.

Prices that are still competitive compared with the French, Belgian or Swiss markets, with strong seasonal rental potential.
Two main areas with distinct profiles: the Northern Costa Blanca (Calpe, Altea, Benidorm) and the Southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa).
Purchase costs to plan for: allow around 10.5 to 11.5% of the price for a resale property and 12.5 to 13.5% for a new build in taxes and fees.
A secure purchase requires obtaining an NIE, a deposit contract, and signing before a Spanish notary.
Expert support and a check of the property by an independent lawyer are essential safeguards.

Every year, the Costa Blanca attracts thousands of European buyers, and buyers from abroad are among the most active profiles on this market. Around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year (AEMET climate normals), quality healthcare infrastructure, well-established international communities: there are many reasons to settle or invest here. But buying property in Spain is not something to improvise. This guide gives you a clear and honest view of the apartment market on the Costa Blanca in 2026.

Whether you are looking for an apartment or a more spacious property, both areas offer a wide range of opportunities. If you are considering country houses on the Costa Blanca instead, you will also find a wide choice with attractive returns, particularly in the hinterland.

Why buy an apartment on the Costa Blanca in 2026?

The Costa Blanca remains one of the most sought-after property destinations in Western Europe. In 2026, the market confirms its strength: demand from foreign buyers is holding up, driven by European retirees, remote workers and rental investors attracted by seasonal yields.

In concrete terms, a 2-bedroom apartment with a communal pool in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa still sells for around €130,000 to €180,000, a price level that is out of reach on comparable French or Belgian coastlines. The cost of living in Spain remains lower than in most Northern European countries, which adds to the region’s appeal for a second home or a retirement project.

The legal framework, although different from the system in your home country, offers solid protection to the buyer as long as you are supported by professionals, including an independent lawyer. To go further on the fundamentals, see our complete guide to buying in Spain.

Northern vs Southern Costa Blanca: which area should you choose for your apartment?

Technical diagram — apartments on the costa blanca

The Costa Blanca stretches along nearly 200 kilometres of coastline in the province of Alicante. Broadly speaking, it is divided into two main areas with clearly different profiles. Understanding this distinction is essential before narrowing down your search.

The Northern Costa Blanca, around Calpe, Altea, Moraira and Benidorm, offers more mountainous scenery and lush vegetation. Prices are higher, and buyers are often permanent or semi-permanent residents looking for a premium lifestyle. Benidorm, often caricatured, actually offers a range of modern apartments with excellent infrastructure.

The Southern Costa Blanca, with Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura and areas such as Playa Flamenca or La Zenia, has historically been more affordable. It is the preferred area for Belgian, Dutch and French buyers looking for a second home or a rental investment. The French-speaking community is particularly well represented there.

What is the difference between the Northern and Southern Costa Blanca when buying an apartment?

The Northern Costa Blanca (Calpe, Altea, Benidorm) offers more mountainous landscapes and higher prices (average asking prices of around €3,570 to €3,730/m² in Calpe, Altea and Benidorm). The Southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa) is more affordable (around €2,550 to €2,990/m², indicative, idealista, 2026), with a strong French-speaking community and good seasonal rental potential.

Apartment prices on the Costa Blanca: what the market says in 2026

The Spanish property market has seen a steady rise in prices since 2021. In 2026, apartments on the Costa Blanca show higher valuations than five years ago, but remain very competitive on a European scale.

On the Southern Costa Blanca, in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, average asking prices are around €2,550/m² in Torrevieja (May 2026) and €2,990/m² in Orihuela Costa (January 2026) (indicative, idealista). In developments with a pool and sea views, prices can be considerably higher.

On the Northern Costa Blanca, in Calpe or Altea, average asking prices are around €3,570/m² in Calpe (June 2026) and €3,640/m² in Altea (mid-2026), more for a high-end apartment. In Benidorm, the average asking price is around €3,730/m² (mid-2026), with wide differences depending on proximity to the sea and the quality of the development.

In Alicante city, the market is also dynamic: around €2,720/m² on average (August 2026, idealista), with wide differences between neighbourhoods, with sustained year-round rental demand that makes it an attractive option for investors.

What is the average price of an apartment on the Costa Blanca in 2026?

In 2026, the average asking price of homes on the Costa Blanca ranges from around €2,550/m² (Southern Costa Blanca, Torrevieja) to around €3,600/m² (Northern Costa Blanca, Calpe, Altea) (indicative, idealista, 2026). The price of a 2-bedroom apartment depends heavily on the area, the size and the view: ask us for current examples.

The key steps to buying an apartment in Spain as a non-resident

A property purchase in Spain follows a well-codified process. As a non-resident buyer from abroad, here are the essential steps you need to know.

1. Obtain your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero): this is the Spanish tax identification number required for any property transaction. It can be obtained from the Spanish consulate in your country or directly in Spain. There is no official processing time: in practice it ranges from the same day to several weeks, depending on appointment availability or the consulate.

2. Open a Spanish bank account: recommended to make payments easier (community fees, local taxes) and mandatory if you take out a mortgage in Spain.

3. Sign a deposit contract (contrato de arras): this document binds both parties. The buyer generally pays 10% of the sale price. If the buyer withdraws, the deposit is lost; if the seller withdraws, they must pay back double.

4. Complete the deed of sale at the Spanish notary: signing the escritura pública before a notary makes the transfer of ownership official. The notary checks the legality of the property, the absence of charges and the identity of the parties.

5. Register the property at the Registro de la Propiedad: the final step, which makes your title of ownership enforceable against third parties.

What are the steps to buy an apartment in Spain as a non-resident?

To buy in Spain as a non-resident, you need to obtain an NIE (Spanish tax identification number), open a Spanish bank account, sign a deposit contract with a 10% down payment, and then complete the deed of sale before a Spanish notary. Registration at the land registry completes the process.

The real costs to plan for when buying an apartment on the Costa Blanca

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and one of the most poorly anticipated. In Spain, purchase costs are added to the listed price and represent a significant share of the total budget.

For a resale apartment (the most common case on the Costa Blanca):

ITP (property transfer tax): 9% of the sale price in the Valencia region (which covers the Costa Blanca) for deeds signed since 1 June 2026 (11% above €1,000,000). This is the main tax.
Notary fees: official sliding scale, around €600 to €900 for €200,000 and €700 to €1,000 for €250,000.
Land registry fees: around €400 to €700 for a property of about €250,000.
Gestoría fees (administrative agency): between €300 and €600 + VAT.
Lawyer’s fees (recommended): generally around 1% of the sale price + VAT.

For a new-build apartment, ITP is replaced by VAT (IVA) at 10% and a stamp duty (AJD) of 1.4% in the Valencian Community (deeds since 1 June 2026).

In total, allow around 10.5 to 11.5% of the purchase price in additional costs for a resale property (12.5 to 13.5% for a new build). For an apartment at €160,000, that means around €16,800 to €18,400 in extra costs.

What costs should you plan for on top of the purchase price of an apartment on the Costa Blanca?

On top of the purchase price, allow around 10.5 to 11.5% in costs: 9% ITP (regional transfer tax, deeds since 1 June 2026), notary fees (official scale, around €700-1,000 for €250,000), land registration (around €400-700), gestoría and lawyer’s fees. For a new-build property, VAT at 10% replaces ITP, plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD), i.e. around 12.5 to 13.5% in total.

Why work with Maison Costa Blanca on your project?

Maison Costa Blanca is a Belgian company (La Louvière) working with Costa Blanca Sales, established since 2000 with an office in Villamartín. We recommend an independent law firm for the legal checks and provide after-sales support (for example, choosing materials for a new build).

Our team works on the ground on the southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa…) and in the Region of Murcia. We know the real prices, development by development, street by street. We support our clients in French, Dutch, English and Spanish at every step: from the first viewing to the signing at the notary, including guidance with the NIE paperwork. For a mortgage, contact Spanish banks or a mortgage broker.

Read about Maison Costa Blanca to discover our history, our team and our commitments to every buyer. And to keep up with all the news on the Spanish market, find all our advice on the blog.

Your project deserves tailored support. Contact our team for personalised support and receive an initial selection of properties that exactly match your criteria and your budget.

Key takeaways:

Average asking prices on the Costa Blanca range from around €2,550 to over €3,500/m² depending on the area in 2026 (indicative, idealista), with opportunities that are still affordable in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa.
The Southern Costa Blanca is ideal for tight budgets and rental investments; the Northern Costa Blanca offers a premium setting at higher prices.
Purchase costs represent around 10.5 to 11.5% of the price for a resale property (12.5 to 13.5% for a new build): factor them in from the moment you calculate your total budget.
The NIE, the deposit contract and signing before a Spanish notary are the three pillars of a secure purchase in Spain.

My view in one sentence: At Maison Costa Blanca, we believe that the apartment market on the Costa Blanca in 2026 remains one of the best property opportunities available to a buyer from abroad in Europe — provided you choose your area carefully, anticipate all the costs and surround yourself with professionals who know the realities on the ground, price by price and town by town.

Useful resources:

You now have a complete and honest view of the apartment market on the Costa Blanca. The next step? Defining your project precisely: overall budget, target area, intended use (main residence, second home or rental investment). Our team is available to answer your questions with no obligation and to show you properties selected according to your actual criteria. Contact our team for personalised support today.

🧠 Quiz: test your knowledge

What percentage in purchase costs should you plan for on top of the price of a resale apartment on the Costa Blanca? A) 3-5% B) 6-8% C) 10-12% D) 15-18%

See the answer

C) 10-12% — In the Valencia region (which covers the Costa Blanca), costs include 9% ITP (deeds since 1 June 2026), notary fees, land registration, the gestoría and lawyer's fees, for a total of around 10.5 to 11.5% of the sale price.

Apartments on the Costa Blanca: the complete guide to buying in 2026