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Retiring in Costa Blanca has become one of the most popular choices for foreigners looking for sun, sea, and affordable living in Europe.
In this article, we break down the real costs of retiring in Costa Blanca in 2026, from minimum survival budgets to luxury living, with current housing prices and rent data that we update regularly.
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.
How much money do I need to retire in Costa Blanca right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Costa Blanca?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Costa Blanca in 2026 is around €1,300 to €1,700 per month (approximately $1,510 to $1,975 USD or the same in euros), which covers only basic needs without any extras.
At this minimum budget level in Costa Blanca, you can afford a small one-bedroom apartment in an affordable area like inland Torrevieja or Elche, basic utilities, groceries for home cooking, local public transport, and mandatory private health insurance if you need it for your visa.
Living on this survival budget in Costa Blanca means making real sacrifices: you will need to skip dining out almost entirely, choose a location away from the seafront, avoid car ownership, and have little room for travel or unexpected expenses.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (approximately €1,720) in Costa Blanca gives you a lean but workable lifestyle, best suited for value-focused locations rather than premium seafront areas.
With $2,000 per month in Costa Blanca, you can realistically afford a small one-bedroom apartment for around €600 to €750 per month ($700 to $870 USD) in towns like Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, or Elche, which offer rent levels of €9 to €12 per square meter.
On this budget, you can enjoy Costa Blanca's famous "menu del dia" lunches for €10 to €15 occasionally, visit local markets like Torrevieja's Friday market, and take advantage of the region's free beaches and hiking trails in the Sierra de Callosa mountains.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Costa Blanca is that you will need to cook most meals at home, rely on public buses rather than owning a car, and choose between living close to the beach or having a larger apartment since you cannot have both.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (approximately €2,580) in Costa Blanca provides a comfortable coastal lifestyle with real choices about where and how you live.
With $3,000 per month, you can afford a nicer one-bedroom in a desirable neighborhood or a decent two-bedroom apartment, paying around €900 to €1,100 per month ($1,045 to $1,275 USD) in places like Alicante city center, Calpe, or Altea, where rent ranges from €12 to €14 per square meter.
At this budget level in Costa Blanca, you can dine out several times per week at local Spanish restaurants, enjoy the terrace bars along Benidorm's Poniente promenade, take day trips to nearby Valencia or Murcia, and join local expat social clubs or golf memberships.
The key upgrade from a $2,000 budget in Costa Blanca is that $3,000 per month allows you to run a modest car (which opens up access to beautiful inland villages like Guadalest and Polop), enjoy spontaneous restaurant meals without stress, and build a small emergency fund each month.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (approximately €4,300) provides a very comfortable semi-luxury lifestyle in Costa Blanca, while $10,000 per month (approximately €8,600) opens the door to full luxury living with premium seafront properties and no financial stress.
At $5,000 per month in Costa Blanca, you can rent a spacious two or three-bedroom apartment with sea views for €1,500 to €2,000 per month ($1,740 to $2,320 USD), while $10,000 per month allows you to rent a private villa with a pool in exclusive areas like Altea Hills, Moraira, or Javea's Arenal neighborhood for €3,500 to €5,000 per month ($4,060 to $5,800 USD).
In the $5,000 to $10,000 per month range in Costa Blanca, you gain access to premium experiences like membership at Villaitana Golf Club near Benidorm, private boat charters from Denia marina, personal training sessions, top-tier private healthcare at Quironsalud hospitals, frequent international travel, and fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants like Quique Dacosta in Denia.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a comfortable retirement budget for a single person renting in Costa Blanca is €2,200 to €2,800 per month (approximately $2,550 to $3,250 USD), which allows for a good neighborhood, regular dining out, and reliable healthcare coverage.
To sleep well at night in Costa Blanca, you should add a buffer of 15% to 25% on top of your comfortable budget, meaning an extra €330 to €700 per month ($385 to $815 USD) to handle rent increases, unexpected medical bills, or appliance repairs without stress.
A comfortable Costa Blanca retirement budget covers expenses that a basic budget does not, including private health insurance with no copays (required for many visas), a small car or frequent taxi use, regular restaurant meals, gym or club memberships, annual travel, and a maintenance reserve for home repairs.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in Costa Blanca requires a monthly budget of €5,500 to €9,000 (approximately $6,400 to $10,500 USD), which allows you to choose premium properties and enjoy high-end experiences without trade-offs.
A luxury retirement budget in Costa Blanca includes a seafront apartment or private villa with a pool for €2,500 to €4,500 per month ($2,900 to $5,220 USD), top-tier private medical care with immediate specialist access, a quality vehicle, regular fine dining, domestic help for cleaning and gardening, and frequent international travel.
The most popular neighborhoods for luxury retirees in Costa Blanca include Javea's Arenal and Montgó areas, Moraira's hillside villas, Altea Hills with its gated communities, Benidorm's Playa de Poniente beachfront, and Denia near the marina.
The main advantage of a luxury budget beyond comfort in Costa Blanca is flexibility: you can handle any emergency without budget stress, bring family to visit in style, access elite golf courses like La Finca or Las Colinas, and maintain the lifestyle standards you had before retirement without compromise.
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.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Costa Blanca?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a single retiree in Costa Blanca in 2026 looks like this: for a lean budget of €1,600 ($1,860 USD), expect rent €750, utilities €180, groceries €300, transport €70, health insurance €120, and miscellaneous €180; for a comfortable budget of €2,600 ($3,020 USD), expect rent €1,100, utilities €220, food and dining €550, transport €250, health insurance €200, leisure €180, and miscellaneous €100.
Housing costs typically consume 45% to 50% of a retiree's total monthly budget in Costa Blanca, with a one-bedroom apartment in a decent area running €700 to €1,100 per month ($815 to $1,275 USD or €700 to €1,100 EUR) depending on proximity to the beach.
Food and groceries in Costa Blanca usually account for 15% to 25% of the monthly budget, meaning €250 to €550 per month ($290 to $640 USD) for a single person depending on how often you cook at home versus eating out.
The budget category that varies most in Costa Blanca is transport, because retirees who walk and use local buses spend €40 to €70 per month ($45 to $80 USD), while those running a car spend €200 to €350 per month ($230 to $405 USD) once you include fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Costa Blanca?
The top three hidden fees that surprise foreigners in Costa Blanca are: first, the upfront rental costs (often two months deposit plus one month agency fee, totaling €1,500 to €3,000 or $1,740 to $3,480 USD); second, community fees if you buy an apartment (€50 to €200 per month or $60 to $230 USD for pool and lift maintenance); and third, the annual non-resident property owner tax filing called Modelo 210, which many people do not expect.
When first arriving in Costa Blanca, foreigners should budget €500 to €1,500 ($580 to $1,740 USD or €500 to €1,500 EUR) for one-time setup costs including NIE application fees, utility connection deposits, padron registration, basic furniture if renting unfurnished, and document translations or apostilles if applying for residency.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Costa Blanca ranges from €500 to €800 ($580 to $930 USD or €500 to €800 EUR), while a two-bedroom apartment typically costs €750 to €1,200 per month ($870 to $1,395 USD or €750 to €1,200 EUR), depending heavily on location and proximity to the sea.
For a one-bedroom in Costa Blanca, the realistic rent range runs from €465 per month ($540 USD) in budget areas like Elche at €9.3 per square meter, up to €850 per month ($985 USD) in premium locations like Benidorm at €16 per square meter.
For a two-bedroom in Costa Blanca, expect to pay from €700 per month ($815 USD) in affordable towns like Elche, up to €1,400 per month ($1,625 USD) or more in sought-after areas like Javea, Altea, or Benidorm's beachfront zones.
The neighborhoods offering the best rental value for retirees in Costa Blanca include Torrevieja's inland areas (around €12 per square meter), Elche (around €9.3 per square meter), Guardamar del Segura (around €10.5 per square meter), and Santa Pola's older town center, all offering solid infrastructure at lower prices than the premium coastal strips.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Costa Blanca.
What do utilities cost monthly in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, total monthly utilities for a typical retiree apartment in Costa Blanca cost €150 to €250 ($175 to $290 USD or €150 to €250 EUR), with the biggest variable being summer air conditioning use due to the region's hot Mediterranean climate.
The typical monthly breakdown for utilities in Costa Blanca is: electricity €60 to €120 ($70 to $140 USD) depending on A/C usage, water €15 to €30 ($17 to $35 USD), and gas (if used for cooking or heating) €15 to €40 ($17 to $46 USD).
Internet and mobile phone service in Costa Blanca typically costs €40 to €70 per month ($46 to $81 USD or €40 to €70 EUR) for a combined package with fiber internet and a mobile plan from providers like Movistar, Orange, or budget options like Digi.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single retiree in Costa Blanca should budget €400 to €700 per month ($465 to $815 USD or €400 to €700 EUR) for food and transportation combined, with the exact amount depending heavily on lifestyle choices.
For groceries when cooking at home in Costa Blanca, a realistic monthly budget is €200 to €350 ($230 to $405 USD or €200 to €350 EUR), shopping at supermarkets like Mercadona, Lidl, or Carrefour, with local markets offering fresh produce at lower prices.
Dining out regularly in Costa Blanca adds €150 to €350 per month ($175 to $405 USD) to your food budget, since a "menu del dia" lunch costs €10 to €15 and a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant runs €40 to €60, making it easy to eat out several times weekly without breaking the bank.
For transportation in Costa Blanca, public transit users spend €40 to €70 per month ($46 to $81 USD) on bus passes and occasional tram rides in Alicante, while car owners should budget €200 to €350 per month ($230 to $405 USD or €200 to €350 EUR) covering fuel, insurance, road tax, and a maintenance reserve.
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Can I retire in Costa Blanca if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average home price in Costa Blanca is approximately €2,700 to €3,100 per square meter ($3,130 to $3,595 USD per square meter or €2,700 to €3,100 EUR per square meter), meaning a typical 80-square-meter apartment costs between €216,000 and €248,000 ($251,000 to $288,000 USD).
The realistic price range in Costa Blanca spans from €1,500 to €2,000 per square meter ($1,740 to $2,320 USD) in affordable inland areas like Pilar de la Horadada or outer Torrevieja, up to €4,000 to €5,000+ per square meter ($4,640 to $5,800+ USD) in premium seafront locations like Calpe's Arenal-Bol or Benidorm's Poniente beachfront.
For retirees seeking the best value in Costa Blanca, apartments in well-maintained urbanizations with community pools and gardens offer the sweet spot: lower maintenance burden than a villa, shared amenities, and prices 20% to 30% below equivalent standalone properties, particularly in areas like El Campello, San Juan, or Villajoyosa.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Costa Blanca.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners (non-residents) buying property in Costa Blanca typically need a down payment of 40% of the purchase price, plus an additional 10% to 13% to cover purchase taxes, notary fees, and registration costs, meaning a €220,000 apartment requires approximately €110,000 to €117,000 ($128,000 to $136,000 USD or €110,000 to €117,000 EUR) in available cash.
Yes, foreigners face higher down payment requirements than Spanish residents in Costa Blanca, because Spanish banks typically lend only 60% to 70% of the property value to non-residents, compared to up to 80% for residents, and non-resident mortgage rates are often 0.25% to 0.50% higher as well.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Costa Blanca.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Spain.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the all-in monthly cost to own a typical €220,000 apartment in Costa Blanca (with a 60% mortgage over 20 years at 3.5% interest) is approximately €1,100 to €1,700 per month ($1,275 to $1,975 USD or €1,100 to €1,700 EUR), depending on community fees and how much you budget for maintenance.
This all-in ownership cost in Costa Blanca includes your mortgage payment of around €765 per month ($890 USD), community fees of €70 to €180 per month ($80 to $210 USD), home insurance of €15 to €35 per month ($17 to $40 USD), property tax (IBI) averaged monthly at €40 to €100 ($46 to $116 USD), and utilities plus internet of €150 to €250 per month ($175 to $290 USD).
Typical monthly property taxes (IBI) in Costa Blanca range from €30 to €80 ($35 to $93 USD) when averaged monthly, and community (HOA) fees run €70 to €180 per month ($80 to $210 USD) depending on whether the building has a pool, elevator, gardens, or concierge services.
The hidden ownership cost that catches many new buyers off guard in Costa Blanca is the "derrama," an unexpected special assessment that communities can levy for major repairs like elevator replacement, facade work, or pool renovation, which can cost €1,000 to €5,000+ ($1,160 to $5,800+ USD) with little warning.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Costa Blanca.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, renting is typically cheaper month-to-month than buying in Costa Blanca: an 80-square-meter apartment rents for around €960 per month ($1,115 USD), while owning the same property (€216,000 purchase price with a 60% mortgage) costs €1,100 to €1,400+ per month ($1,275 to $1,625+ USD) once you include all ownership expenses.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes cheaper than renting in Costa Blanca is 7 to 10 years, assuming moderate property appreciation of 3% to 5% annually and stable interest rates, though this varies significantly based on your down payment size and the specific property's community fees.
Key factors that make buying more attractive than renting for retirees in Costa Blanca include: staying long-term (10+ years) to amortize purchase costs, choosing a building with low community fees (under €100 per month), locking in housing costs against future rent increases, and having the upfront cash to make a large down payment that reduces your mortgage burden.
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 visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the main retirement visa for non-EU citizens moving to Costa Blanca is the Non-Lucrative Visa, which costs approximately €150 to €300 ($175 to $350 USD or €150 to €300 EUR) in government fees for the initial application, plus €300 to €800 annually for document translations, apostilles, and administrative appointments.
To qualify for the Non-Lucrative Visa in Costa Blanca in 2026, you must prove a minimum passive income of €2,400 per month (€28,800 per year or $33,400 USD annually), plus an additional €600 per month (€7,200 per year or $8,350 USD) for each dependent family member, along with comprehensive private health insurance with no copays.
The typical annual visa renewal cost in Costa Blanca is €100 to €250 ($116 to $290 USD or €100 to €250 EUR) in government fees paid through the Tasa 052 form, plus time spent gathering updated documents, with renewals following a 1-year initial permit, then 2-year renewals until you reach 5 years for long-term residency.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Costa Blanca is underestimating the health insurance requirement: Spanish authorities reject policies with copays, deductibles, or limited coverage, so you must purchase a comprehensive Spanish policy (not travel insurance) that matches public healthcare standards before your consulate appointment.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, if you become a tax resident in Costa Blanca (by spending more than 183 days per year in Spain), you must pay Spanish income tax on your worldwide income, including foreign pensions, investment dividends, and rental income, at progressive rates from 19% to 47% depending on income level and region.
Most types of foreign income are taxable for Costa Blanca tax residents, including US Social Security, UK state pensions, private pensions, investment dividends, and rental income from properties abroad, though the exact treatment depends on your home country's tax treaty with Spain.
Spain has tax treaties with over 90 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and most EU nations, which help prevent double taxation by allowing credits for taxes paid abroad or assigning taxation rights to one country, though you typically must still file in both countries.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to Costa Blanca is the 183-day rule: once you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident with worldwide tax obligations, so you must plan your residency status deliberately rather than accidentally triggering it.
What health insurance do retirees need in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, most non-EU retirees in Costa Blanca need comprehensive private health insurance costing €70 to €200 per month ($80 to $230 USD or €70 to €200 EUR) for ages under 65, rising to €150 to €400+ per month ($175 to $465+ USD) for retirees over 70, as this insurance is mandatory for Non-Lucrative Visa applications and renewals.
Foreigners can access Spain's excellent public healthcare system (one of the best in Europe) once they become legal residents and register in the public system, though many retirees maintain private insurance to avoid waiting lists for specialists, access English-speaking doctors, and ensure coverage during the visa process before public eligibility kicks in.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Costa Blanca is €1,500 to €4,500 ($1,740 to $5,220 USD or €1,500 to €4,500 EUR), which includes private insurance premiums of €1,000 to €3,600 per year, plus €300 to €600 for out-of-pocket costs like dental work, vision care, and medications not fully covered by insurance.
Buying real estate in Costa Blanca can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Idealista (Alicante sale prices) | Spain's largest property marketplace with transparent monthly price indices. | We used their December 2025 Alicante province data to anchor Costa Blanca purchase prices. We converted euro per square meter into real home price examples. |
| Idealista (Alicante rental prices) | Provides consistent rental data across all Costa Blanca municipalities. | We translated their euro per square meter figures into realistic monthly rents for 1-bed and 2-bed apartments. We identified value neighborhoods based on price differentials. |
| European Central Bank (ECB) | The official source for EUR/USD exchange rates used across Europe. | We applied the ECB reference rate (approximately $1.16 per euro in January 2026) to convert all euro budgets into US dollars consistently. |
| Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) | Spain's tax authority and the definitive source for residency and tax rules. | We referenced AEAT to explain the 183-day tax residency rule and worldwide income obligations for Costa Blanca retirees. |
| Spain Ministry of Inclusion (Migraciones) | The official government page for Non-Lucrative Visa requirements. | We used it to define real visa income requirements and health insurance standards. We built a practical visa planning checklist from their official guidance. |
| Banco de Espana | Spain's central bank and official source for mortgage reference rates. | We used their rate tables to model realistic mortgage payments for Costa Blanca property purchases. We added buffers for non-resident borrower premiums. |
| INE (Spain National Statistics) | The top official source for Spain-wide statistics including mortgage and housing data. | We referenced INE mortgage statistics to validate our ownership cost calculations and used their consumer price data for utility and grocery benchmarks. |
| BOE (Official State Gazette) | The official legal record for all Spanish law including tax legislation. | We verified Valencian Community property transfer tax rates from BOE to ensure accurate purchase cost estimates for Costa Blanca buyers. |
| Numbeo | A large crowdsourced database of cost-of-living data updated regularly. | We cross-referenced utility costs, grocery prices, and transport expenses against Numbeo's Spain data to validate our Costa Blanca budget estimates. |
| Spanish Government (Tasa 052) | The official portal for immigration fee payments in Spain. | We confirmed visa application and renewal fee amounts from this source. We included fees as real cash costs in our retiree budget planning. |
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.
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