PropertinspainBuying in Spain from abroad

Note

Buying a flat in Alicante: what to check

By Daniel WhitcombeReviewed by Marta Calderón IbáñezPublished Updated Stage 3: Choose where and what

Quick answer

Alicante is a provincial capital with a port, a beach district and an airport that serves the whole coast. The market is mostly flats in communities. Check statutes, noise, the airport’s flight paths and the tourist-let rules. Confirm the Valencian resale tax rate, because it was lowered recently.

Applies toBuyers considering a flat or house in Alicante city or its surrounding districts.

On this page: 10 sections
  1. The city
  2. The market
  3. Taxes
  4. Flats and communities
  5. Noise and the airport
  6. Tourist lets
  7. Floods
  8. Who it may suit
  9. What we could not verify
  10. More on this topic
Checked 26 October 2026by Marta Calderón Ibáñez. Claims on this page are tied to the sources listed at the end.

§ 1The city

Alicante is the capital of its province, on the Mediterranean, with a port, a castle above the old town, a long seafront and the airport that serves the Costa Blanca. It is a living city and not only a holiday destination. This page belongs to the chapter on Costa Blanca in detail.

§ 2The market

The registry reports that foreigners made up 46.43% of home purchases in the province in the second quarter of 2026. That figure covers the whole province, including the resorts. We found no official average for Alicante city, so we print none. For orientation, the registry reports twelve-month city averages from €1,294 per m² in Zamora to €5,534 per m² in Madrid, and Alicante lies within that range. Ask local agents for recent sales.

§ 3Taxes

A resale home in the Valencian Community pays the general transfer tax of 9% on contracts from 1 June 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance table updated in September 2026. Some regional pages still show the old ten per cent, and the contract date decides which applies. New homes carry VAT and stamp duty, as the costs section explains.

§ 4Flats and communities

Most homes are flats in communities. Ask for the statutes, accounts, minutes and reserve fund, and ask about planned works. The law requires a reserve fund of at least 10% of the last ordinary budget, and a three-fifths vote to approve, limit or ban tourist rental.

§ 5Noise and the airport

Noise comes from traffic, the nightlife, building work and the airport. The operator publishes interactive noise maps for it. The location checks section explains how to check noise and the neighbours.

§ 6Tourist lets

Tourist lets in the Valencian Community need regional authorisation, regional registration and the community’s prior express approval. The regional tourism FAQ lists an occupancy licence, liability insurance and a municipal report on urban compatibility. City rules may be stricter, and we did not read them.

§ 7Floods

Ravines and low streets can flood in heavy rain. The storm of October 2024 hit mainly the province of Valencia, and the weather agency reported flash floods reaching coastal towns. Check the national flood viewer for any plot.

§ 8Who it may suit

It may suit buyers who want a city with a beach, a port and an airport, and a lived-in feel. Buying in Torrevieja covers Torrevieja to the south and buying in Benidorm covers Benidorm to the north.

§ 9What we could not verify

We did not read the municipal rules on tourist lets and found no official price average for the city.

§ 10More on this topic

Buying in Jávea explains what to check when buying in Jávea and buying in Dénia explains what to check when buying in Dénia.

Buying in Calpe explains what to check when buying in Calpe and buying in Altea explains what to check when buying in Altea.

Buying in Orihuela Costa explains what to check when buying in Orihuela Costa.

FAQRelated questions

Is Alicante a city or a resort?

It is a working provincial capital with a port, universities and a beach, so the market is mostly flats in a living city. That means community charges, noise and municipal rules matter more than in a pure resort.

How near is the airport?

Close to the city, on the coast road to the south. Flight paths cross some districts, and the operator publishes interactive noise maps for it. Check the plot against the paths and visit at busy times.

Can I let in Alicante?

It may be allowed when the regional permit, the state registry code and your block’s rules all agree. The city council can be stricter still. We have not studied its ordinances, so seek advice from a lawyer based locally.

Sources

About this page

Written by

Daniel Whitcombe

Writer, buying and living in Spain

Daniel writes the chapters on how a purchase runs, who can buy, where to buy and how to check a location. He writes for readers who are new to the Spanish system and prefers plain explanations that name the official source. He is not a lawyer or adviser.

Reviewed by Marta Calderón Ibáñez, chief editor and source editor, 26 October 2026. Checked: Figures and rules checked against the official texts listed below

Found an error? Report it. Each report gets a dated reply, and confirmed corrections are logged on the updates page.

General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.