Let Out Property in Altea

Let out property in Altea — the letting market

Looking to let out property in Altea? Altea on the Costa Blanca has solid demand for holiday accommodation year round. Letting out property in Altea provides an ongoing return and covers maintenance and property tax during the periods you are not using it yourself.

Short-term letting in Altea requires a Valencia tourist licence. The town's aesthetic and cultural image allows for premium positioning.

Tourist licence and rules in Altea

To let your property in Altea on a short-term basis (under roughly 2-3 months per tenant) you need a valid tourist licence. In Valencia region this is issued by the Generalitat Valenciana, and you must register the property with a specific licence number that must appear in all listings.

The rules are actively enforced, and fines for illegal letting can run into several thousand euros. It is therefore essential to have the licence sorted before you start advertising the property on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms.

Expected rental income in Altea

In high season, a property in Altea can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. Over a full year, with a realistic occupancy rate of 50-70% in the most popular areas, this can provide a solid ongoing return — particularly if the property is also used privately outside the season.

Remember that rental income must be taxed in Spain (typically 19% for EU citizens on net income) and may also need to be declared in your home country — but double taxation treaties typically prevent you from paying full tax twice on the same income.

How to get started letting in Altea

Start by applying for a tourist licence from the Generalitat Valenciana, and make sure the property meets the requirements for safety, fire equipment and signage. Next, you should invest in professional photos — in a market like Altea, where iconic blue-and-white church dome overlooking the town is a big part of the appeal, good photos make a real difference to your booking rate.

Consider whether you want to manage the letting yourself, or use a local property management company that handles key handover, cleaning and guest communication — particularly relevant if you do not live in Spain full time.

Long-term letting as an alternative in Altea

If you prefer a more stable, less administration-heavy solution, long-term letting (over a year) to locals or expats can be a good alternative to seasonal short-term letting. It does not require the same tourist licence, but is instead governed by the general tenancy law (LAU), which gives the tenant stronger rights.

Life and culture in Altea

Altea is known as the Costa Blanca's artists' town, with a thriving gallery and craft scene in the old town. The iconic blue-and-white domed church tower (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo) is one of the region's most photographed sights and stands over the town's whitewashed houses. Altea celebrates local ferias and has an active cultural life with art exhibitions year-round.

Nightlife in Altea is culturally and relaxedly oriented — wine bars, galleries and restaurants with sea views, rather than club life. It attracts a crowd seeking aesthetics and culture rather than partying.

Location and infrastructure

Alicante airport is around 50 minutes' drive from Altea. A local TRAM line connects Altea with Benidorm and Alicante.

Transport is a combination of TRAM, bus and car. Taxis are available, but to a lesser extent than in the bigger tourist destinations.

Tourism & leisure

Altea has a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, generally of good quality but not as long and wide as Benidorm's. Golf is not a central part of the town's identity.

Altea is a quiet, culturally oriented town with little nightlife noise. The climate resembles the rest of the northern Costa Blanca — mild and fairly dry, with a charming view over the bay that creates a particular local light that has long attracted artists.

Everyday costs & what to know before you let out in Altea

Eating out in Altea is moderately to highly priced, in keeping with the town's cultural and slightly more exclusive image. Rent is above the Costa Blanca average, but below the most exclusive Costa del Sol destinations.

Before you buy: Altea's niche market typically means a slower but stable sales process — buyers here are often more culturally motivated than investment-focused. The Valencia region's tourist licence is required for short-term letting.