Buying property in Spain
Practical guidance before you buy a property in Spain.
Clear, practical and region-focused guides for British, Irish, Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Swiss and other international buyers considering the Costa Blanca North.
Start with the right information
A good property decision starts with clear information.
Buying a property in Spain is exciting, but it should not begin with random viewings or beautiful photos alone.
Before deciding, it helps to understand the area, legal checks, ongoing ownership costs, rental rules, community restrictions and practical details that affect everyday life.
These guides help you compare the Costa Blanca North more clearly before committing to a town, a property search or a buying trip.
Start here
Our key guides for serious property buyers.
Retirement guide
Best places on the Costa Blanca North for retirees
A practical guide for British, Irish, Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Swiss and other international buyers comparing Dénia, Moraira, Jávea, Altea, Benissa and Calpe.
Compare healthcare access, year-round amenities, mobility, tranquillity, maintenance, community life, tourist pressure and long-term everyday practicality.
Ideal for older buyers who want to understand which part of the Costa Blanca North best fits their retirement plans before buying.
Read the retirement guide →Area guide
Where should you buy property on the Costa Blanca North?
Choosing the right area is often more important than choosing the first beautiful property. This guide compares the key locations on the Costa Blanca North before you start arranging viewings.
Compare Moraira, Jávea, Altea, Benissa, Calpe and Dénia by lifestyle, property type, everyday amenities, atmosphere outside the high season and typical buyer profile.
Ideal for buyers who are still deciding which town or stretch of coast genuinely fits their future life in Spain.
Read the area guide →Practical buyer guide
Costs, rentals and real-life checks before buying
Even a beautiful property can be the wrong purchase when practical details are overlooked. This guide explains what buyers often discover too late.
Learn about hidden costs, holiday-rental rules, electricity pylons, traffic noise, summer pressure, community rules, ongoing ownership costs and the checks worth making before an offer.
Ideal for international buyers who want a realistic overall picture before making a binding property decision in Spain.
Read the buyer guide →Guides by topic
Find the information that matches your stage of the buying process.
The articles are organised by region and location, legal topics, costs and financing, and practical life in Spain.
Region and location
Choose the setting that fits your everyday life first.
Compare coastal towns, inland areas and different living profiles before committing to a particular property or municipality.
Area comparison
Moraira vs. Jávea
A practical comparison for buyers choosing between two of the most sought-after locations on the Costa Blanca North.
Useful if you are deciding between the quieter villa lifestyle of Moraira and the more varied, international everyday life of Jávea.
Read guide →Area comparison
Dénia vs. Calpe
A comparison for buyers weighing Dénia against Calpe and looking at atmosphere, infrastructure, beaches, accessibility, property types, tourist pressure and life outside the main season.
Useful if you are choosing between Dénia's more urban, Spanish character and Calpe's more compact coastal lifestyle.
Read guide →Coast or inland
Coast or inland: where do you get more house for your money?
Compare popular coastal towns with inland areas including the Jalón Valley and Vall de Pop. See how the same budget can affect floor area, plot size, privacy, views and access to everyday amenities.
Useful if you are balancing proximity to the sea against more space, privacy and property value inland.
Read guide →Legal and buying process
Understand the Spanish rules before you sign.
From the purchase process and legal due diligence to owners' communities and the ways the Spanish system can differ from what international buyers are used to.
Buying property in Spain
Buying a property in Spain
A practical explanation of the Spanish buying process, including legal checks, deposits, the notary appointment, financing, purchase costs and the documents international buyers should prepare before signing.
Useful if you are at the beginning of your property search and want to understand the entire process from first viewing to completion.
Read guide →Buying timeline
How long does it take to buy a house in Spain?
A clear timeline from initial property selection and reservation through legal due diligence, the arras contract and possible mortgage approval to the notary appointment and key handover.
Useful if you want to know how many weeks or months to allow and which checks, documents or financing steps can cause delays.
Read guide →Spanish property rules
Spanish property rules international buyers should understand
A practical guide to aspects of the Spanish system that can differ from common expectations abroad, including the notary's role, Registro de la Propiedad, Catastro, community rules, holiday rentals, alterations and taxes.
Useful if you want to avoid making a Spanish property decision based on assumptions from your home country.
Read guide →Community rules
Homeowners' associations in Spain
Understand the comunidad de propietarios, community fees, meeting minutes, rental restrictions, communal maintenance, owner obligations and why these checks matter before buying.
Useful if you are considering an apartment, townhouse or property within an urbanisation.
Read guide →Buyer mistakes
Common mistakes when buying property in Spain
Learn which mistakes buyers commonly make in Spain, from choosing the wrong area to overlooking community rules, legal checks, ongoing ownership costs and practical everyday considerations.
Useful if you want to reduce emotional decision-making and avoid expensive surprises after completion.
Read guide →Costs, taxes and financing
Calculate what buying and owning really cost.
Get clarity on purchase taxes, total acquisition costs, mortgages, ongoing expenses and cross-border tax considerations for international owners.
Total purchase costs
Total cost of buying a property in Spain
A complete overview of the costs on top of the purchase price, including purchase tax, lawyer, notary, Land Registry, gestoría, valuation and possible financing costs.
Useful if you want to calculate how much cash you may actually need before reserving a property or signing a purchase contract.
Read guide →Purchase taxes
ITP, IVA and AJD explained
A clear explanation of the main Spanish taxes involved in a property purchase. Learn when ITP applies, when IVA and AJD apply and why resale and new-build properties are taxed differently.
Useful if you want to understand which purchase tax applies to your property and how much additional capital to allow beyond the purchase price.
Read guide →Mortgage and costs
Mortgage costs and current rules in Spain
An up-to-date guide to Spanish mortgages, property valuations, energy certificates, the allocation of mortgage costs and the documents banks review before issuing final approval.
Useful if you plan to finance a property in Spain and want to reduce delays, valuation shortfalls or unexpected mortgage-related costs.
Read guide →Second-home tax
Tax rules for a second home in Spain
A practical overview of Spanish taxes for second-home owners, rental income and the cross-border tax questions that can arise depending on your country of tax residence.
Useful if you want to understand the Spanish tax side of ownership and identify which questions also need advice in your home country.
Read guide →Living in Spain
Cost of living in Spain
A practical overview of spending on groceries, energy, transport, healthcare, insurance, restaurants, internet and other fixed and variable living costs.
Useful if you want to build a realistic monthly budget for relocation, a second home, retirement or a longer stay in Spain.
Read guide →Practical life in Spain
Plan everyday life after the key handover too.
Practical guides on residency, taxes, healthcare, groceries, pets and daily life for people who plan to live, winter or spend extended periods in Spain.
Living after purchase
Living in Spain after buying a house: residency, taxes and healthcare explained
A comprehensive guide for international owners who plan to live in Spain permanently, for most of the year or for part of the year. Understand residence registration, padrón, tax residency, healthcare and the home-country obligations that may need attention.
Useful if you are not only buying a property but also deciding which administrative, tax and healthcare steps fit your length of stay and personal situation.
Read guide →Groceries in Spain
Supermarket prices in Spain
An up-to-date comparison of everyday groceries at major Spanish supermarket chains, with example prices for milk, eggs, rice, pasta, olive oil and other frequently purchased products.
Useful if you want to estimate everyday spending in Spain and compare supermarkets by price, range and convenience.
Read guide →Living with pets
Pets in Spain: what owners need to know
A practical guide for international buyers and owners covering travel with dogs or cats, community rules, vets, insurance, beaches, rental properties and everyday life on the Costa Blanca.
Useful if your dog or cat is moving to Spain with you or you want to understand the rules that can apply in apartments, urbanisations and public spaces.
Read guide →Prefer personal guidance?
Still deciding which area or property type fits your future life in Spain?
Our Area Match Assessment helps you compare places on the Costa Blanca North by lifestyle, budget, infrastructure, long-term plans and practical requirements.