Where do most expats live?

Both have strong expat communities; Costa Blanca skews slightly more towards lifestyle buyers, Costa del Sol towards a mix.

Can foreigners buy property in Spain?

Yes. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Spain. You'll need an NIE number and a Spanish bank account; that's it.

No. Many buyers on the Costa Blanca are non-residents who use their property as a holiday or rental home. Residency only matters for tax purposes.

Plan for roughly 10–13% on top of the purchase price for taxes (ITP or VAT), notary, land registry, legal fees and bank charges.

Spain's two most popular foreign-buyer regions, head-to-head.

Spain's two most popular foreign-buyer regions, head-to-head.

Both Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are excellent choices. Costa Blanca suits Mediterranean village; Costa del Sol suits Glamour & golf.