The Costa Blanca is home to the largest Dutch community in Spain. From upscale Javea to affordable Torrevieja, this 200 km coastline along the Alicante province offers property options for every budget and lifestyle.
300+ days of sunshine
2.5h from Amsterdam
15,000-20,000 Dutch residents
4-9% rental yields
Overview
The Costa Blanca stretches from Denia in the north to Torrevieja in the south along the Alicante province. An estimated 15,000-20,000 Dutch nationals live here permanently, with thousands more owning holiday homes. Direct flights from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven reach Alicante airport in 2.5 hours. Over 300 days of sunshine per year, affordable property prices, and an established infrastructure of Dutch shops, schools, and social networks make it the top choice for Dutch buyers in Spain.
| Factor | North (Denia to Altea) | South (Torrevieja to Pilar de la Horadada) |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Upscale, authentic villages, mountainous | Purpose-built urbanizations, flat coastal |
| Property prices | EUR 200,000 - 1,500,000+ | EUR 80,000 - 400,000 |
| Price per sqm | EUR 2,000 - 5,000 | EUR 1,000 - 2,500 |
| Rental yield | 4 - 6% | 5 - 8% |
| Architecture | Traditional fincas, villas, village houses | Modern apartments, townhouses, new-builds |
| Year-round living | Excellent (many permanent residents) | Good but more seasonal |
Area Guide
From premium Moraira to budget-friendly Torrevieja, the Costa Blanca caters to every budget and lifestyle.
The unofficial Dutch capital of Spain. Three distinct zones: the historic old town, the port area, and the Arenal beach with promenade. Population approximately 27,000 with a thriving Dutch community.
Best for: Dutch buyers seeking an established expat community, quality of life, and strong resale value.
Apartments
EUR 250,000 - 450,000
Villas
EUR 400,000 - 1,200,000
Price/sqm
EUR 2,500 - 4,500
Rental yield
5 - 7%
Northern tip of the Costa Blanca where Alicante meets Valencia. UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy with excellent restaurants, a castle, and both sandy beaches (Las Marinas) and rocky coves (Las Rotas). Ferry connection to Ibiza and Mallorca.
Best for: Buyers wanting authentic Spanish living at lower prices than Javea. Excellent for gastronomy lovers and families.
Apartments
EUR 180,000 - 350,000
Villas
EUR 350,000 - 900,000
Price/sqm
EUR 2,000 - 3,800
Rental yield
5 - 7%
An exclusive small town between Javea and Calpe, known for upscale villas, turquoise coves, and quiet ambiance. Compact town center with quality restaurants and boutiques. Population approximately 12,000, swelling to 25,000+ in summer.
Best for: Buyers seeking privacy, quality, and exclusivity. Popular with affluent Dutch and German retirees.
Apartments
Limited stock
Villas
EUR 500,000 - 2,000,000
Price/sqm
EUR 3,000 - 5,500
Rental yield
3.5 - 5%
Dominated by the iconic Penon de Ifach rock. Offers a mix of high-rise beachfront apartments and hillside villas with a long sandy beach (Arenal-Bol) and busy promenade. The old town retains character with its Moorish quarter.
Best for: Buyers seeking beachfront apartments at accessible prices with strong rental potential.
Apartments
EUR 150,000 - 350,000
Villas
EUR 300,000 - 800,000
Price/sqm
EUR 1,800 - 3,500
Rental yield
5 - 7%
Often called the cultural capital of the Costa Blanca. Its whitewashed old town on a hilltop overlooks the Mediterranean, filled with art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. Bohemian, artistic atmosphere. Close to Benidorm (5 min) for amenities.
Best for: Culture lovers, artists, and buyers wanting a picturesque setting. Popular with Scandinavian and Dutch buyers.
Apartments
EUR 200,000 - 400,000
Villas
EUR 350,000 - 1,000,000
Price/sqm
EUR 2,200 - 4,000
Rental yield
4 - 6%
The most affordable option on the Costa Blanca with one of the largest foreign communities in Spain. Approximately 50% of its 80,000+ residents are foreign nationals. Extensive amenities: hospitals, shopping centers, sports facilities.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers and yield-focused investors. Highest rental yields on the Costa Blanca.
Apartments
EUR 80,000 - 200,000
Villas
EUR 150,000 - 300,000
Price/sqm
EUR 1,000 - 2,200
Rental yield
6 - 9%
Purpose-built residential area south of Torrevieja with multiple urbanizations: Villamartin, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, Campoamor. Modern apartments and townhouses with communal pools. Several golf courses and the Zenia Boulevard shopping center.
Best for: Families seeking modern properties with pools and facilities. Good rental potential. Golf enthusiasts.
Apartments
EUR 100,000 - 250,000
Villas
EUR 180,000 - 350,000
Price/sqm
EUR 1,200 - 2,500
Rental yield
6 - 8%
The provincial capital offers true urban living with beaches. The Explanada promenade, Santa Barbara castle, and a well-connected city center. Year-round rental demand from professionals and students (University of Alicante). Airport 15 minutes away.
Best for: Investors seeking year-round rental income from long-term tenants. Urban amenities with beach access.
Apartments
EUR 150,000 - 350,000
Villas
N/A (city center)
Price/sqm
EUR 1,800 - 3,200
Rental yield
5 - 7%
Financial
The Costa Blanca falls within the Comunitat Valenciana, which has one of the higher transfer tax rates in Spain.
| Cost | Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ITP (transfer tax, resale) | 10% | Drops to 9% from June 2026 |
| IVA + AJD (new-build) | 11.5% | 10% VAT + 1.5% stamp duty |
| Reduced ITP (under-35s) | 8% | Primary residence under EUR 150,000 |
| Notary + registry + legal | 2 - 2.5% | Of purchase price |
| Total acquisition costs | 12 - 14% | On top of purchase price |
Regional Comparison
At 10% ITP, the Costa Blanca is more expensive than Andalusia (7% ITP) or Madrid (6% ITP). On a EUR 300,000 property, that means EUR 30,000 in transfer tax vs EUR 21,000 in Andalusia -- a EUR 9,000 difference. Note: from June 2026, the Valencian ITP drops to 9%.
Investment
The Valencian Community requires a tourist license for short-term rentals. Key requirements include registration with the Valencian Tourism Agency, air conditioning, minimum furniture standards, civil liability insurance, and tourist information provision.
Platform Reporting
Airbnb and Booking.com report rental income to Spanish tax authorities. Non-resident owners must file annual tax returns in Spain (even without rental income) AND declare the property on their Dutch tax return (Box 3).
Living Here
The Costa Blanca has the most developed Dutch support infrastructure of any region in Spain.
El Limonar International School (Villamartin), Laude Lady Elizabeth School (near Javea), International School of Javea, Elian International School (La Nucia).
Hospital Quiron Torrevieja, Hospital IMED Levante (Benidorm), Hospital Marina Salud Denia. Multiple Dutch-speaking doctors and dentists, especially in Javea and the south coast.
Albert Heijn products at local supermarkets, Dutch bakeries and hairdressers, Nederlandse Vereniging Costa Blanca, Dutch-language churches, active social clubs and Facebook groups.
| From | Airlines | Flight Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam (AMS) | Transavia, KLM | 2h 30m | Daily |
| Rotterdam (RTM) | Transavia | 2h 25m | Seasonal |
| Eindhoven (EIN) | Ryanair, Transavia | 2h 20m | Multiple weekly |
Drive times from Alicante airport: Torrevieja 40 min, Alicante center 15 min, Benidorm 45 min, Altea 55 min, Calpe 1h, Javea 1h 15m, Denia 1h 30m.
Read our complete Costa Blanca buying guide with detailed town profiles, common buyer mistakes, and specific advice for Dutch residents.
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