The southern Costa Blanca is one of the most international property markets in Spain. Walk around Orihuela Costa or Torrevieja and you will hear English, Dutch, French, German and Spanish within a few minutes. For a buyer from the UK or elsewhere, that is reassuring, but it also means a crowded market with agencies of every kind. Choosing who you work with is one of the most important decisions in the whole purchase.
This article explains what a multilingual agency with local roots brings to an international buyer, the steps that tend to catch UK buyers out, how to check that an agency is properly set up, and what Maison Costa Blanca does and does not do for its clients.
Who we are
Maison Costa Blanca is a Belgian company based in La Louvière, run from Belgium and working on the ground with Costa Blanca Sales, which has been active since 2000 and has an office in Villamartin, Orihuela Costa. We are not a British agency, and we do not pretend to be. What we offer English-speaking buyers is a team that speaks English, alongside French, Dutch and Spanish, and a local partner that knows the developments, the developers and the realities of buying in this part of Spain.
You can read more about our background on our about us page.
What a multilingual agency with local roots brings you
Clear communication at every step
Most of the documents in a Spanish purchase are in Spanish: the reservation contract, the private purchase contract, the deed and the tax forms. An agency that works in English and Spanish every day can explain what each document means and pass your questions on to the developer, the seller or the notary without things getting lost in translation. It does not replace your lawyer’s review, but it means you are never signing something you have not had explained.
Many international buyers also benefit from l’aide d’un agent acheteur throughout the process, ensuring their interests are fully protected at every stage.
For mixed-nationality couples and families, a team that also speaks French and Dutch is a real advantage: everyone can ask their questions in the language they are most comfortable with.
Knowing the ground
Local roots matter more than a glossy website. Knowing which developments are well run, how a given street feels in August and in February, or how far a “sea view” really is from the sea comes from years on the ground. Costa Blanca Sales has been working in this area since 2000, and that experience is what we draw on.
One contact, from search to after-sales
Buying from abroad usually means juggling several people: agency, developer or seller, lawyer, notary, bank. Having one team that keeps the overall picture, follows the timetable and tells you what comes next saves time and stress.
Buying as a UK buyer after Brexit: points to know
Since Brexit, UK residents are treated as non-EU buyers for several Spanish rules. None of this should put you off, but it should be part of your planning:
- No residency through property. Spain’s real-estate golden visa was abolished with effect from 3 April 2025. Buying a home no longer gives you a right to live in Spain.
- Annual non-resident tax. Even if you never rent the property out, you file a Modelo 210 every year and pay 24% on a deemed income of 1.1% or 2% of the cadastral value (EU/EEA residents pay 19%). See the Spanish Tax Agency’s guidance on imputed income.
- Rental income. If you let the property, Spain taxes UK residents at 24% on the gross rent, with no deduction for expenses. The UK also taxes that income, with Foreign Tax Credit Relief for the Spanish tax, capped at the UK tax on the same income.
- Mortgages. Non-resident loans are usually limited to around 60–70% of the lower of price and bank valuation, and some lenders offer only 50–60% to non-EU buyers.
- The NIE. This foreigner’s identity number is needed to sign the deed, pay taxes, connect utilities and take out a mortgage. The 2026 fee is €9.84 (form 790, code 012). There is no official processing time, so apply early.
We do not give tax advice: for your own situation, speak to a tax adviser who knows both the Spanish and UK systems.
Southern Costa Blanca or Region of Murcia?
We work on the southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura and Pilar de la Horadada, all in Alicante province) and in the Region of Murcia (Los Alcázares, San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and nearby). Pilar de la Horadada is the southernmost municipality of Alicante province and borders Murcia, and that regional boundary changes your budget:
| Alicante province | Region of Murcia | |
|---|---|---|
| Resale (ITP transfer tax) | 9% (deeds from 1 June 2026) | 7.75% (since 25 July 2025) |
| New build (VAT + AJD) | 10% + 1.4% = 11.4% | 10% + 1.5% = 11.5% |
| Total buying costs, resale | about 10.5–11.5% | about 9.5–10.5% |
| Total buying costs, new build | about 12.5–13.5% | about 12.5–13.5% |
The totals are indicative (current rates plus typical fee ranges, October 2026). Asking prices also differ (indicative, idealista asking prices): about €2,548/m² in Torrevieja (May 2026), about €2,990/m² in Orihuela Costa (January 2026) and €1,747/m² on average for resale homes across the Region of Murcia (April 2026). These are asking prices, not sale prices.
What we do for you, and what we do not
We sell new builds (key-ready or off-plan) and resale properties. In practice, we:
- help you narrow down the area and type of property that fit your total budget;
- shortlist properties and arrange viewings;
- explain the costs and every step, in English;
- guide you through the NIE and power-of-attorney paperwork;
- recommend an independent law firm for the legal checks on the property;
- provide after-sales support on new builds, for example with the choice of materials.
We do not manage rentals, we do not arrange mortgages (speak to Spanish banks or a mortgage broker) and we do not give tax advice (consult a tax adviser).
If you cannot travel for the signing, the deed can be signed through a notarised power of attorney. Our guide to buying through a power of attorney explains how it works.
How to check an agency before you commit
Whichever agency you choose, it should be able to answer a few simple questions:
- RAICV registration. In the Valencian Community, property intermediaries must be listed in this public, free register. Ask for the number and check it in the official Generalitat Valenciana register.
- API. Membership of the Agente de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria body is voluntary. If an agency claims it, ask for the membership number.
- Who pays whom. On a resale the seller usually pays the agency commission; on a new build, the developer does. Ask for it in writing.
- An independent lawyer. The lawyer checking the property should act for you, not for the seller or the agency.
Be wary of absolute promises such as “complete legal certainty”, “guaranteed rental income” or “NIE in 24 hours guaranteed”. None of them reflects how things really work.
Getting here
Alicante-Elche airport handled a record 19.95 million passengers in 2025, and the UK is one of its main markets. For most of our area it is the natural gateway, which makes viewing trips straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maison Costa Blanca a British agency?
No. Maison Costa Blanca is a Belgian company based in La Louvière, working with Costa Blanca Sales, active since 2000 with an office in Villamartin. Our team speaks English, French, Dutch and Spanish.
Do I need to speak Spanish to buy on the Costa Blanca?
No, but you need to understand what you sign. With an English-speaking team and an independent lawyer who explains the documents, you can handle the whole purchase in English.
Who pays the agency commission?
On a resale, usually the seller; on a new build, the developer. The buyer’s costs are mainly taxes, notary, Land Registry and, if instructed, the lawyer.
Does buying a property give me the right to live in Spain?
No. The real-estate golden visa route was abolished with effect from 3 April 2025. Residence depends on the general immigration rules, not on owning property.
Can I buy without travelling for the signing?
Yes, through a notarised power of attorney. The NIE can also be applied for by a representative holding a power of attorney.
Let’s talk about your plans
Thinking of buying between Guardamar, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and the Region of Murcia? Tell us about your budget and what you are looking for, and we will give you an honest view of what is realistic and how the purchase would work. Contact our team.
