Retire in Costa Blanca
Discover why thousands of retirees from across Europe and around the world choose the Costa Blanca for its sunshine, healthcare, affordability, lifestyle and welcoming international communities.
The Costa Blanca is Europe's quiet retirement capital — 300+ days of sunshine, world-class healthcare, walkable Mediterranean towns, and international communities that make settling in feel effortless. This is the definitive guide to retiring here: where to live, what it costs, how the healthcare works, residency, taxes, property, care options and everything in between.
Why retire on the Costa Blanca
Mild winters and warm dry summers.
World-class public and private hospitals.
Stretch your pension 30–40% further.
200+ km of Blue Flag coastline.
British, Dutch, German, Belgian, Scandinavian.
Fresh food, wine, long lunches and siestas.
Pedestrianised centres, promenades and plazas.
Play year-round on championship courses.
Alicante & Valencia — direct flights everywhere.
Low crime, family-friendly and secure.
Home care, accessibility and senior support.
Consistently ranked among Europe's best.
The complete retirement hub
From Albir to Moraira — the towns retirees love.
ExplorePublic, private, insurance, pharmacies and emergencies.
ExploreHousing, food, utilities, healthcare and budgets.
ExplorePensions, wealth, inheritance and double-taxation.
ExploreNon-lucrative visa, EU residency, permanent status.
ExploreApartments, villas, golf, beachfront, low-maintenance.
Explore55+ villages, active and international communities.
ExploreNursing homes, memory care and home support.
ExploreCaregivers, day centres and mobility assistance.
ExploreClubs, golf, walking, cycling, culture and travel.
ExploreCommunities, resorts, memberships and green fees.
ExploreHealth, home, travel, life and long-term care.
ExploreSpanish wills, POA, succession and trusts.
ExploreHome assistance, day centres, respite and support.
ExplorePacking, shipping, utilities and registration.
ExploreAccounts, transfers, exchange and pension payments.
ExploreBest places to retire on the Costa Blanca
From the Nordic-loved seaside of Albir to the gastronomic charm of Dénia and the gated golf communities of Orihuela Costa — each town has its own retirement personality.
Pedestrianised seaside village, huge Nordic community, flat and walkable.
Full guideWhitewashed old town, art galleries, café culture, scenic seafront.
Full guideQuiet residential town next to Albir — strong international community.
Full guideYear-round amenities, healthcare, restaurants and entertainment.
Full guideBeachfront living, Peñón de Ifach views and excellent infrastructure.
Full guideGastronomic capital, port, beaches and direct ferry to Balearics.
Full guideSheltered bay, microclimate, expat heaven with three distinct zones.
Full guideLow-rise luxury village, marina, vineyards and premium villas.
Full guideInland hills, sports facilities and outstanding municipal services.
Full guideColourful fishing town, authentic Spain with a long sandy beach.
Full guideWorking port, salt flats and family-friendly beaches.
Full guideAffordable, huge international community, healthcare and amenities.
Full guideGolf, beaches and gated urbanisations — value for money.
Full guideHealthcare for retirees
Public healthcare
How the SNS works, registering, GP appointments and access.
Read guidePrivate healthcare
Hospitals, specialists, costs and English-speaking doctors.
Read guideHealth insurance
Best providers for retirees, costs by age, what's covered.
Read guidePrescriptions
Subsidies, pharmacy access and chronic medication.
Read guideEmergencies
Calling 112, ER, ambulances and travel coverage.
Read guideDental & vision
Routine and major dental, opticians and eye care.
Read guideWhat it actually costs to live here
Housing
Rent and ownership costs by town and property type.
Read guideGroceries & dining
Supermarkets, markets and Menu del Día prices.
Read guideUtilities & internet
Electricity, water, gas and fibre internet.
Read guideTransportation
Cars, fuel, public transport and senior travel discounts.
Read guideAnnual budgets
Couple, single and luxury annual budget breakdowns.
Read guideCountry comparison
Spain vs UK, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia.
Read guideRetirement visas & residency
Non-lucrative visa
The main retirement visa — income, insurance and process.
Read guideEU citizens
Registering as an EU resident — straightforward and fast.
Read guideNon-EU citizens
UK, US, Canadian and other third-country retirees.
Read guidePermanent residency
After 5 years — rights, renewals and citizenship route.
Read guideProperty for retirees
Apartments
Lock-up-and-leave coastal apartments with sea views.
Read guideVillas
Detached homes with pool and garden — privacy and space.
Read guideGolf communities
Las Colinas, Villamartín, La Sella and Altea Hills.
Read guideBeachfront
First-line property on the Mediterranean.
Read guideNew-build
Energy-efficient turnkey homes and developer warranties.
Read guideLow-maintenance
Communities with elevators, gardens and concierge.
Read guideRetirement communities
From 55+ active communities to international villages with shared facilities, the Costa Blanca has more retirement community variety than anywhere else in Spain.
Assisted living & long-term care
Nursing homes
Residencias — public, private and concertadas.
Read guideMemory care
Specialised units for cognitive decline.
Read guideAlzheimer's care
Centres, day care and family support.
Read guideHome care
Daily caregivers, nursing visits and live-in support.
Read guideLong-term care
Home assistance, day centres and respite care.
Read guideAging in place
Home modifications, alerts and home automation.
Read guideInsurance for retirees
Health insurance
Sanitas, Adeslas, DKV — best providers by age and need.
Read guideHome insurance
Building and contents — what Spanish policies cover.
Read guideTravel insurance
Annual multi-trip and senior-friendly providers.
Read guideLife insurance
Term and whole-of-life options in Spain.
Read guideFuneral insurance
Decesos — almost universal in Spain, here's why.
Read guideLong-term care insurance
Cover for in-home care or residential care needs.
Read guideTaxes for retirees
Tax residency
The 183-day rule and what it means for your finances.
Read guideForeign pensions
How UK, US, Dutch, German and other pensions are taxed.
Read guideDouble-tax treaties
Avoiding paying twice — country by country.
Read guideWealth tax
Patrimonio — thresholds, exemptions and planning.
Read guideInheritance tax
Regional rates, exemptions and beneficiary planning.
Read guideCapital gains
On property sale, investments and primary residence rollover.
Read guideInheritance & estate planning
Spanish wills
Why every foreign owner needs a Spanish will.
Read guidePower of attorney
Healthcare and financial POA — Spanish and foreign.
Read guideSuccession law
EU regulation 650/2012 — choose your national law.
Read guideCross-border estates
Multiple jurisdictions, currencies and beneficiaries.
Read guideActivities & lifestyle
25+ courses, year-round play and golf communities.
ExploreCoastal paths, sierras and easy guided groups.
ExplorePadel, cycling, swimming, yoga and pickleball.
ExploreBridge, art, choir, language exchange and Rotary.
ExploreWine, gastronomy, fiestas, music and theatre.
ExploreVet care, dog beaches, walking routes and pet insurance.
ExploreDriving, licences, public transport and airport links.
ExploreCrime, scams, heat safety and emergency numbers.
ExplorePacking, shipping, registration and getting set up.
ExploreRetire by nationality
Tax, healthcare, pensions and residency differ dramatically by where you're moving from. Tailored guides for each major retiree nationality.
Post-Brexit residency, NHS to SNS, pension transfers and tax.
Read guideAOW pension, healthcare transfer and Dutch community hubs.
Read guidePensions, S1 form, residency and tax treaty benefits.
Read guideRente abroad, Krankenversicherung and double-taxation.
Read guideRetraite française, healthcare and inheritance planning.
Read guideFolkpension, healthcare reciprocity and tax residency.
Read guideSocial Security, Medicare gaps, FATCA and the non-lucrative visa.
Read guideCPP/OAS, provincial healthcare and tax treaty.
Read guideRetire by budget
Affordable inland towns, rental apartments, frugal Mediterranean living.
See lifestyleComfortable couple's budget in most Costa Blanca towns.
See lifestyleCoastal apartment, dining out, golf and travel.
See lifestyleVilla with pool, private healthcare, frequent travel.
See lifestylePremium villa, staff, concierge healthcare and lifestyle.
See lifestyleHousing, healthcare, joint finances and estate planning.
Community, safety, social life and meeting people.
Financial independence, investment income and visas before 65.
Calculators & tools
Cost of Living Calculator
Estimate your monthly budget by town and lifestyle.
Read guideRetirement Budget Calculator
Build a complete monthly and annual budget.
Read guideHealthcare Cost Calculator
Compare public vs private vs insurance costs.
Read guidePension Calculator
Net pension income after Spanish tax.
Read guideCurrency Conversion
GBP, USD, CAD, NOK, SEK, DKK to EUR.
Read guideTax Calculator
Estimate IRPF on pensions and savings income.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Need help moving to Spain?
Our local team helps with visas, NIE, healthcare, housing and more. One friendly point of contact for your whole relocation.