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Costa Blanca is one of Spain's most popular destinations for expats, with over 500,000 foreign residents now calling Alicante province home.
Whether you're drawn by the 300 days of sunshine, the affordable lifestyle, or the well-established English-speaking communities, this guide covers everything you need to know about moving to Costa Blanca in 2026.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data on housing, visas, jobs, and daily life.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Costa Blanca.
Is Costa Blanca a good place to live in 2026?
Is quality of life getting better or worse in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, quality of life in Costa Blanca is slightly improving for people who already have stable income, though rising housing costs create real pressure for newcomers.
The factor that has improved most noticeably in Costa Blanca over the past two to three years is healthcare accessibility, with both public hospitals and private clinics expanding services and English-speaking staff in expat-heavy areas like Benidorm and Alicante city.
The persistent challenge that has worsened is housing availability in the most desirable coastal towns, where foreign buyer demand keeps pushing rents and purchase prices upward faster than local wages can follow.
Are hospitals good in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, hospitals in Costa Blanca meet Western European standards, with solid public infrastructure and unusually strong private healthcare options for a non-capital region.
The hospitals expats most commonly recommend include Hospital Universitario de San Juan for public care near Alicante, IMED Levante in Benidorm for private English-speaking services, and HLA Vistahermosa in Alicante for specialist care.
A standard doctor consultation in Costa Blanca costs nothing if you are registered in the public system, but if you pay privately as an uninsured patient, expect to pay around 60 to 80 euros (roughly $65 to $87) for a GP visit and 140 to 220 euros ($150 to $240) for a specialist.
Private health insurance is strongly recommended when you first arrive in Costa Blanca, especially if your visa requires proof of coverage or if you want fast access to English-speaking specialists while sorting out your public healthcare registration.
Are there any good international schools in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, Costa Blanca has a strong selection of international schools, with over a dozen British and international curriculum options spread across the region, which is unusually high for a non-capital area in Spain.
The international schools most popular among expat families include Elian's British School in La Nucía for families in the northern Costa Blanca and Newton College near Elche for those closer to the south, both offering British curriculum through secondary levels.
Annual tuition at international schools in Costa Blanca typically ranges from 6,500 to 13,500 euros per year ($7,000 to $14,600), with secondary years costing more, and you should budget an extra 1,500 to 2,500 euros for mandatory extras like lunch, uniforms, and transport.
Waitlists at popular international schools in Costa Blanca can be long, especially for entry points like Reception and Year 7, so families should apply early; public schools are an option but require Spanish language ability and may involve a longer adjustment period for children who do not speak the language.
Is Costa Blanca a dangerous place in 2026?
As of early 2026, Costa Blanca is not dangerous by international standards, and most expats report feeling safe in their daily lives, though the region does experience typical tourist-coast issues like pickpocketing and car break-ins during summer.
The most common safety concerns expats should be aware of in Costa Blanca are opportunistic theft in crowded beach areas and tourist zones, petty scams targeting newcomers, and occasional car break-ins in parking areas near popular beaches, rather than violent crime.
The neighborhoods generally considered safest for expats to live in Costa Blanca include Playa de San Juan and El Cabo in Alicante city, Altea's old town, Jávea's Arenal district, La Nucía, and the quieter residential areas of Benidorm like Poniente rather than the party-heavy Levante strip.
Women can generally live alone safely in Costa Blanca with standard precautions like avoiding poorly lit areas at night, keeping valuables secure in crowded places, and using licensed taxis or ride apps after dark, which is similar to what you would do in any mid-sized European coastal city.
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How much does everyday life cost in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What monthly budget do I need to live well in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person needs around 2,300 to 2,900 euros per month (roughly $2,500 to $3,150) to live comfortably in Costa Blanca, which includes rent, food, transport, leisure, and some dining out.
For a modest but decent lifestyle in Costa Blanca, a single person can manage on about 1,800 to 2,200 euros per month ($1,950 to $2,400), while a couple would need around 2,600 to 3,200 euros ($2,800 to $3,500), assuming a rented apartment outside the premium beachfront zones.
For a more comfortable or upscale lifestyle with a nicer apartment, regular restaurant meals, a car, gym membership, and occasional weekend trips, budget 2,900 to 3,500 euros for a single person ($3,150 to $3,800) or 4,000 to 5,000 euros for a couple ($4,350 to $5,450).
The expense category that takes up the largest share of a monthly budget in Costa Blanca is housing, with rent for a decent two-bedroom apartment averaging around 950 to 1,200 euros in popular expat areas, which can represent 35 to 45 percent of total spending for many residents.
What is the average income tax rate in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical middle-income earner in Costa Blanca (earning around 30,000 to 45,000 euros gross per year) faces an effective tax burden of roughly 24 to 33 percent when combining income tax (IRPF) and employee social security contributions.
Spain's income tax brackets range from 19 percent on the first 12,450 euros of taxable income up to 47 percent on income above 300,000 euros, with the Valencia region (which includes Costa Blanca) applying slightly higher regional rates on top of the national base for higher earners.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Spain versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What kind of foreigners actually live in Costa Blanca in 2026?
Where do most expats come from in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top countries of origin for expats in Costa Blanca are the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Romania, along with growing numbers from Morocco, Colombia, and other Latin American countries.
Alicante province now has over 500,000 registered foreign residents, representing more than 25 percent of the total population, which makes Costa Blanca one of the most international regions in all of Spain.
British and Northern European expats are drawn to Costa Blanca mainly for the climate, affordable cost of living compared to their home countries, established English-speaking communities, and direct flight connections from Alicante-Elche airport to dozens of European cities.
The expat population in Costa Blanca is a mix of retirees (especially from the UK and Scandinavia), working professionals and business owners in tourism and real estate, and a growing number of digital nomads and remote workers who arrived after Spain launched its telework visa in 2023.
Where do most expats live in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, expats in Costa Blanca concentrate in several distinct clusters: Playa de San Juan and El Cabo in Alicante city for urban professionals, Jávea and Altea for those seeking a quieter boutique lifestyle, Benidorm for those who want amenities and nightlife, and Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa in the south for budget-conscious retirees.
What makes these neighborhoods attractive to expats is the combination of walkable access to beaches, established English-speaking services like doctors and shops, good road connections to the airport, and active social communities with clubs, sports groups, and regular expat meetups.
Emerging neighborhoods starting to attract more expats in Costa Blanca include Gran Alacant near Santa Pola for its new-build developments and beach access, Finestrat for mountain views near Benidorm, and Dénia in the far north for its ferry links to the Balearic Islands and growing foodie scene.
Are expats moving in or leaving Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, Costa Blanca is experiencing a clear net inflow of expats, with Alicante province adding over 30,000 foreign residents in the past year alone and towns like Torrevieja and Benidorm ranking among Spain's fastest-growing municipalities.
The main factor driving expats to move to Costa Blanca right now is the combination of remote work flexibility (enabled by Spain's digital nomad visa) and the region's unbeatable value compared to Northern Europe, where the same lifestyle would cost significantly more.
The main factor causing some expats to leave Costa Blanca is rising housing costs in the most popular areas, which have pushed some retirees on fixed incomes and younger families to consider inland towns or other Spanish regions where rent is lower.
Compared to similar destinations like the Costa del Sol or the Canary Islands, Costa Blanca is growing faster in terms of foreign resident numbers, partly because property prices remain more accessible and the region offers a good balance between tourist infrastructure and authentic Spanish life.
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What paperwork do I need to move to Costa Blanca in 2026?
What visa options are popular in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats moving to Costa Blanca are the Digital Nomad Visa (telework visa) for remote workers, the Non-Lucrative Residence Visa for retirees and financially independent people, and standard work permits for those with job offers from Spanish employers.
The most commonly used expat visa in Costa Blanca, the Digital Nomad Visa, requires you to earn at least 2,760 euros per month (about $3,000) from remote work for clients or employers outside Spain, have private health insurance, show a clean criminal record, and prove you have a university degree or three years of relevant work experience.
Yes, Spain offers a Digital Nomad Visa that allows non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in Costa Blanca for up to three years (renewable for two more), as long as you meet the income threshold and work primarily for companies or clients located outside Spain.
The Digital Nomad Visa is initially valid for one year if applied from a consulate abroad or up to three years if applied from within Spain, and renewals require you to have lived in Spain for at least six months of the previous year and continue meeting the income and remote work requirements.
How long does it take to get residency in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical processing time to obtain residency in Costa Blanca ranges from 8 to 16 weeks for well-prepared applicants on straightforward routes like the Digital Nomad Visa, though complex cases or document delays can extend this to 3 to 6 months.
Common factors that can delay your residency application include missing or improperly apostilled documents, appointment backlogs at local foreigner offices (especially during peak relocation seasons in spring and autumn), and the need for additional translations of financial or employment records.
To become eligible for permanent residency in Costa Blanca, you must live legally in Spain for five continuous years, after which you can apply for long-term EU residence; citizenship typically requires ten years of legal residence, though some nationalities (like those from Latin American countries) may qualify faster.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Spain. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
How hard is it to find a job in Costa Blanca in 2026?
Which industries are hiring the most in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the industries hiring the most in Costa Blanca are tourism and hospitality (hotels, restaurants, tour operators), real estate and property services catering to foreign buyers, and healthcare, with seasonal construction also creating jobs during the cooler months.
Getting hired in Costa Blanca without speaking Spanish is realistic in certain roles, particularly in tourism-facing positions in international towns like Benidorm and Torrevieja, in real estate sales to foreign buyers, and in remote jobs where your employer is based abroad, but most stable local jobs require at least basic Spanish.
The types of roles most accessible to foreign job seekers in Costa Blanca include property sales and rentals, hotel and resort management, English teaching, marina and yacht services, and customer service positions at businesses that cater to the large British and Northern European expat community.
What salary ranges are common for expats in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical salary ranges for expats working locally in Costa Blanca run from about 18,000 to 55,000 euros gross per year ($19,500 to $60,000), depending heavily on your industry, skills, and whether you are in a local service role or a specialized position.
For entry-level or mid-level positions in Costa Blanca, such as hotel reception, retail, or administrative roles, salaries typically range from 18,000 to 28,000 euros gross per year ($19,500 to $30,500), which is enough for a modest lifestyle but requires careful budgeting.
For senior or specialized roles in Costa Blanca, such as hotel management, IT, engineering, or healthcare positions, salaries can range from 35,000 to 55,000 euros gross per year ($38,000 to $60,000), with some international company positions paying even higher.
Employers in Costa Blanca do not commonly sponsor work visas because most businesses are small and medium-sized operations in tourism and services that prefer candidates who already have the right to work; visa sponsorship is more realistic in hard-to-fill skilled roles or with larger international companies.
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What's daily life really like for expats in Costa Blanca right now?
What do expats love most about living in Costa Blanca right now?
Expats consistently say they love Costa Blanca for the outdoor lifestyle with over 300 days of sunshine, the ability to choose between lively towns like Benidorm and peaceful villages like Altea, and the strong sense of community among fellow expats who share their experience.
The lifestyle benefit most frequently praised by expats in Costa Blanca is the ease of spending time outdoors year-round, whether that means morning walks along the beach, cycling through orange groves, or having lunch on a sunny terrace in January.
The practical advantage expats appreciate most is the excellent value for money compared to Northern Europe, where the same quality of life (healthcare, housing, dining out, travel) would cost significantly more in countries like the UK, Germany, or Scandinavia.
The social and cultural aspect that makes Costa Blanca particularly enjoyable is the welcoming expat community infrastructure, with active clubs, sports groups, charity organizations, and regular social events that help newcomers build friendships quickly.
What do expats dislike most about life in Costa Blanca right now?
The top complaints expats have about living in Costa Blanca are the slow and frustrating bureaucracy for official procedures, the seasonal "two-speed" feel of some towns that are packed in summer but quiet in winter, and the increasing difficulty of finding affordable housing in popular areas.
The daily inconvenience that frustrates expats most in Costa Blanca is the rigid schedule of Spanish shops and services, where many businesses still close for a long lunch break (roughly 2pm to 5pm) and some errands simply cannot be done outside these limited hours.
The bureaucratic issue that causes the most headaches for expats is getting appointments at the Extranjería (foreigner's office) for residency paperwork, which often requires booking weeks in advance and navigating systems that are primarily in Spanish with limited English support.
Most expats find these frustrations manageable rather than deal-breakers, especially once they adjust their expectations to Spanish rhythms, learn some basic Spanish, and discover workarounds like using gestorías (administrative agents) to handle paperwork on their behalf.
What are the biggest culture shocks in Costa Blanca right now?
The biggest culture shocks expats experience when moving to Costa Blanca are the late meal times (lunch at 2pm, dinner at 9pm or later), the paperwork-first mentality where many services require official documents before anything can happen, and the summer noise levels in tourist areas that can feel overwhelming.
The social norm that surprises newcomers most is how Spanish social life revolves around extended family and long-standing friendships, which can make it harder to integrate with locals compared to the more transactional socializing common in Northern European cultures.
The aspect of daily routines that takes the longest to adjust to is the Spanish approach to time and scheduling, where appointments often start late, service workers take breaks that seem inconvenient, and the pace of getting things done is simply slower than in countries like Germany or the Netherlands.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Spain compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I buy a home as a foreigner in Costa Blanca in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own property in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally purchase and fully own property in Costa Blanca without any restrictions, and Spain places no limitations on foreign ownership of residential real estate regardless of nationality or residency status.
The only practical conditions that apply to foreigners buying property in Costa Blanca are obtaining a NIE (foreigner identification number) before signing any contracts and being prepared for additional scrutiny on proof of funds if you are transferring money from outside the EU.
Foreigners can buy any type of property in Costa Blanca, including apartments, townhouses, villas, and rural fincas, with no restrictions on property type; the only rare exceptions involve military zones or certain protected coastal land, which apply equally to Spanish and foreign buyers.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the whole property buying process for foreigners in Costa Blanca.
What is the average price per m² in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price per square meter for residential property in Costa Blanca (Alicante province) is approximately 2,700 euros ($2,930), which means a typical 80-square-meter apartment costs around 216,000 euros ($235,000) before transaction costs.
Property prices in Costa Blanca have risen steadily over the past two to three years, with annual increases of around 8 to 13 percent in popular coastal areas, driven by strong foreign demand and limited new construction on prime beachfront land.
Also, you'll find our latest property market analysis about Costa Blanca here.
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgages for foreigners are widely available in Costa Blanca, with most major Spanish banks actively lending to non-residents, though conditions are stricter than for Spanish residents and you will need a larger down payment.
The banks in Costa Blanca known to offer mortgages to foreigners include Banco Sabadell, which has English-speaking international desks, CaixaBank through their HolaBank program for non-residents, and Banco Santander, which offers specific non-resident mortgage products.
Typical mortgage conditions for foreigners in Costa Blanca include a down payment of 30 to 40 percent (banks finance 60 to 70 percent of the property value), interest rates ranging from 3 to 5 percent depending on whether you choose fixed or variable, and maximum loan terms of 20 to 25 years with repayment required before age 70 to 75.
To qualify for a mortgage as a foreigner in Costa Blanca, you typically need a valid passport, a NIE number, proof of stable income (payslips and tax returns from the past two years), bank statements showing the origin of your down payment, and a signed preliminary purchase contract (contrato de arras).
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Spain.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Costa Blanca, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Spain National Statistics Institute (INE) | Spain's official statistical authority for prices and population. | We used INE data to anchor inflation context and verify cost-of-living trends. We also used their population register to identify foreign resident numbers by nationality. |
| Idealista | Spain's largest property portal with consistent price tracking. | We used Idealista's January 2026 data for rent and sale prices per square meter in Alicante province. We converted these into realistic apartment costs for different budgets. |
| Ministry of Interior Crime Statistics | Spain's official police-recorded crime data system. | We used this portal to assess safety levels and identify the most common crime types. We cross-checked with quarterly reports to avoid cherry-picking single data points. |
| Valencia Notarial College | Official notarial records of property transactions. | We used notarial data to confirm that foreign buyer demand in Alicante is structurally high. We also identified which municipalities attract the most international buyers. |
| Ministry of Inclusion (UGE) | The government unit responsible for digital nomad visa policy. | We used official UGE guidance to describe visa requirements accurately. We avoided relying on outdated blog interpretations by going straight to the source. |
| Valencian Health Authority (GVA) | The regional authority running public healthcare in Alicante. | We used GVA hospital directories to list real public hospitals expats will use. We provided official addresses so readers can verify information quickly. |
| SEPE (Public Employment Service) | Spain's official source for employment and contract statistics. | We used SEPE data to describe job market seasonality in Costa Blanca. We grounded the "how hard is it to find a job" section in real labor market figures. |
| InterNations Expat Insider | One of the largest recurring expat surveys worldwide. | We used InterNations only for sentiment data on what expats like and dislike. We then validated those opinions with objective sources on crime, prices, and healthcare. |
| Elian's British School | Official school fee schedule published directly by the school. | We used the 2025-2026 fee PDF to quote accurate tuition ranges. We added typical extras to create realistic all-in annual cost estimates for families. |
| Bank of Spain (BExplora) | Central bank housing market data for transparent monitoring. | We used Bank of Spain data to triangulate housing trends beyond single portal figures. We also referenced it for mortgage availability and financing conditions. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Spain. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.