How much does it really cost to buy a house on the Costa Blanca? 2026 Price Guide
Buying a home on the Costa Blanca is the dream of thousands of international buyers every year. But the property price is only the first figure on a longer list. Here we break down what it really costs to buy a home on the Costa Blanca in 2026, including zone-based prices, taxes, and associated expenses that many people only discover too late.
Property prices on the North Costa Blanca 2026
The North Costa Blanca—stretching from Altea to Calpe via Moraira, Benissa, and Jávea—concentrates the region’s supply of luxury homes and quality of life on the province of Alicante. Prices vary significantly depending on the area, the type of property, and how close it is to the sea.
Altea
Altea remains the premium destination par excellence. Urbanizations such as Altea Hills, Altea la Vella, and the Mascarat area offer villas with panoramic views starting at €600,000 and that can exceed €4 million for properties right on the seafront. The old town, with its famous wall promenade and views over the Mediterranean, keeps prices more contained for apartments and townhouses, with a range of €250,000 to €500,000.
Moraira and Benissa Costa
Moraira has established itself as one of the most in-demand destinations for international buyers, especially those from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The average price of a sea-view villa in Moraira ranges from €650,000 to €2.5 million. In Benissa Costa, areas such as Baladrar, Advocat, and La Fustera offer a more attractive value for money, with villas from €450,000.
Jávea
Jávea blends the charm of the peninsula’s most easterly cape with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Arenal. Prices here are more varied: from €300,000 for a townhouse in the second line, up to €3 million for a sea-front villa on Cabo de la Nao.
Calpe
Calpe, with the Peñón de Ifach as its emblem, offers a more diverse range. Apartments and flats from €200,000 to €800,000, and luxury villas between €500,000 and €2 million in areas such as La Fossa or Puerto Blanco.
How much does it cost to buy a house on the Costa Blanca? The real breakdown
The purchase price is only the beginning. To know what you truly need, you have to add these expenses:
Transfer Tax (ITP) — 9%
In the Valencian Community, the ITP for second-hand homes is 9% from 1 June 2026, when the general rate dropped from 10% to 9%. On a €500,000 property, that’s an additional €45,000. This tax is paid at the time of purchase and is the biggest associated expense.
Two important details: if the property exceeds €1,000,000, the applicable rate is 11%—something very relevant in the luxury segment of Altea, Moraira, or Jávea. And the tax is settled based on the higher of two values: the price stated in the deed (purchase price) or the cadastral reference value. If the reference value is higher than the agreed purchase price, the tax office will calculate the ITP using that figure.
VAT + Stamp Duty (AJD) for new-build — 10% + 1.4%
If you buy a new-build home, you pay 10% VAT plus 1.4% for Documented Legal Acts (AJD), which was also reduced in June 2026 from 1.5%. In total, that’s 11.4% of the purchase price.
Notary, Land Registry, and Gestoría — €2,500 - €5,000
Notary fees, registration in the Land Registry, and gestoría services come to between €2,500 and €5,000, depending on the home’s price and the complexity of the transaction.
Mortgage valuation — €300 - €600
If you need a mortgage, the bank will require a valuation of the property, which typically costs around €300 to €600.
Real example: buying a €700,000 villa in Altea
To make it clear, imagine you buy a second-hand villa in Altea for €700,000:
Property price: €700,000
ITP (9%): €63,000
Notary + Registry + Gestoría: €3,500
Valuation (if you have a mortgage): €500
Total to pay: €767,000
In other words, you need close to an additional 9.6% on top of the purchase price just for the expenses. A common mistake among international buyers is to calculate only the property price and then find out afterwards that they need that extra amount.
Mortgages for foreigners on the Costa Blanca
If you need financing, Spanish banks grant mortgages to non-residents for up to 60-70% of the valuation value (not the purchase price). For residents, the percentage can reach 80%. The interest rates in 2026 are around 2.5% - 3.5% APR for financially sound profiles.
The usual requirements include: an employment contract or proof of income, an income tax return, verifiable savings (at least 30% of the price plus expenses), and for non-EU foreigners, a valid NIE.
Is it worth buying on the Costa Blanca in 2026?
The short answer is yes, but with nuances. The North Costa Blanca continues to offer one of the best quality-to-price ratios in the Spanish Mediterranean. Compared with the Balearics or the Costa del Sol—where prices are noticeably higher and demand pressure is greater—the North Costa Blanca maintains an appealing balance between quality of life, price, and potential for value appreciation.
What’s more, the June 2026 tax reduction works in the buyer’s favor: for every €100,000 of price, the ITP now costs €1,000 less than before. On a €700,000 purchase, that’s €7,000 in direct savings.
Conclusion: plan every cost from day one
Knowing what it truly costs to buy a home on the Costa Blanca is the first step toward a successful purchase. The property price matters, but the associated expenses (ITP, notary, registry, gestoría) can add between an additional 9.5% and 11% to the total outlay.
At Premium Villas Costa Blanca, we’ve been helping international buyers find their home in the North Costa Blanca for over 20 years. We guide you through the entire process—from the search to the signing—so there are no surprises.
Contact us today and find out what your dream home on the Costa Blanca really costs.