Buy Property in Orihuela Costa

Buy property in Orihuela Costa — the property market

Looking to buy property in Orihuela Costa? Orihuela Costa is located on the Costa Blanca and offers one of the most affordable property markets compared with the rest of the coast. The town is characterised by a large tourist zone with popular beaches, golf villamartín, and a strong british and northern european community, which makes buying property in Orihuela Costa a natural choice for international buyers looking for a combination of quality of life, climate and a sound return on their investment.

The Orihuela Costa area (Cabo Roig, Villamartín, La Zenia) is one of the most active property markets on the Costa Blanca for foreign buyers. Prices are competitive and there is well-established infrastructure with international supermarkets, restaurants and golf courses.

The market for property in Orihuela Costa has seen growing interest from foreign buyers in recent years, particularly from Scandinavia, the UK and Germany. That means healthy demand, but also that the most attractive homes in the best areas often sell quickly — it pays to have your financing and documentation in order before you start looking at property for sale in Orihuela Costa.

Property prices when buying in Orihuela Costa

Price levels in Orihuela Costa naturally vary depending on location, condition and views, but as a general guideline an apartment can be expected to cost 80,000-150,000 EUR, while a house typically falls in the range of 120,000-220,000 EUR. Villas with a pool and private plot start from 220,000-400,000 EUR, depending on size and distance to the coast.

On top of the purchase price itself, you should budget for extra costs for the property transfer tax (ITP at 10% in Valencia region for resale property), notary fees, land registry fees and legal fees. For new-build property, VAT (IVA) at 10% is paid instead.

How to buy property in Orihuela Costa — step by step

The process of buying property in Orihuela Costa follows the same basic steps as the rest of Spain: you need an NIE tax number, a Spanish bank account and an independent lawyer to check the property before you sign anything at all.

Once you have found the right property in Orihuela Costa, you typically sign an arras contract with a deposit of around 10% of the purchase price, before the final notary completion takes place some weeks or months later. Your lawyer will make sure the nota simple (land registry extract) is clean, and that there are no loans or charges on the property.

Who chooses to buy property in Orihuela Costa?

Orihuela Costa attracts a wide range of international buyers — from families looking for a holiday home they can use themselves and rent out the rest of the year, to retirees dreaming of a life in the sun, and investors who see the potential in a growing market.

What particularly draws people to buy property in Orihuela Costa is golf villamartín and la zenia boulevard, affordable prices and a large selection and a strong british and northern european community — a combination that is hard to find elsewhere on the Spanish coast.

Advantages and pitfalls of buying property in Orihuela Costa

The advantages of buying property in Orihuela Costa are the attractive combination of price, climate and lifestyle. The town has a well-functioning range of international services — banks, lawyers and agents used to helping international buyers through the process in English or other languages.

The most important consideration is to get a thorough understanding of the ongoing costs (IBI property tax, community fees and utilities) as well as how owning foreign property is treated for tax purposes in your home country, before you buy property in Orihuela Costa. We always recommend partnering with an independent advisor who knows the rules of both countries.

Life and culture in Orihuela Costa

Orihuela Costa is a broader coastal tourist area (covering Cabo Roig, Villamartín and La Zenia) rather than a traditional town with its own historic core, and so doesn't have the same local festival tradition as the older towns on the coast — the cultural focus is instead on the established international, particularly British, community and its own traditions and events.

Nightlife is expat-oriented with a pub scene and international restaurants, particularly around La Zenia Boulevard, one of the Costa Blanca's most visited shopping centres. It is a family-friendly, relaxed atmosphere rather than intense partying.

Location and infrastructure

Alicante airport is around 45 minutes' drive from Orihuela Costa — one of the area's practical advantages. There is no train connection, but good regional bus connections.

Taxis are easy to find thanks to the large international community and tourist flow. Many residents, however, choose to keep their own car, as the area is fairly spread out.

Tourism & leisure

Orihuela Costa has good sandy beaches, and the Villamartín golf course is a popular gathering point for the local golf community. Golf is a significant part of the area's identity, though not to the same degree as Sotogrande or Marbella.

The area is generally quiet outside the central shopping and restaurant zones. The climate is dry and sunny, typical of the southern Costa Blanca, with relatively little rain year-round.

Everyday costs & what to know before you buy in Orihuela Costa

Eating out is affordable, with a wide range of international and British restaurants around La Zenia Boulevard. Property prices and rent are among the more affordable on the Costa Blanca, making the area popular with retirees and families.

Before you buy: the area has seen marked price increases since Brexit, as many British buyers rushed to secure property before new rules took effect — research current price trends carefully. The Valencia region's tourist licence is required for short-term letting.