A realistic guide for buyers from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany

Many people dream of owning a home in Spain. An apartment close to the sea, a townhouse with a terrace, a detached villa with a private pool, or a comfortable property for spending the winter months in the sun.

Costa Blanca South remains one of the most popular regions among international buyers. That is easy to understand. The region offers a pleasant climate, excellent access via Alicante Airport, beaches, golf courses, restaurants, medical facilities and a large international community.

However, the market has changed. Property prices have increased, good locations remain in demand and buyers are often better prepared than a few years ago. That is why one important question in 2026 is:

What can you still buy on the Costa Blanca South within your budget?

In this blog, we give you a realistic first impression.

Why Costa Blanca South remains popular

Costa Blanca South has attracted buyers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom for many years. Areas such as Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura and Orihuela Costa are popular because of their combination of sunshine, amenities, accessibility and a relatively wide choice of properties in different price ranges.

For many buyers, the region is attractive for a second home, winter residence, holiday use or permanent living. At the same time, this popularity also means that it is important to search with proper preparation.

Not every budget suits every property type or location.

Costa Blanca North or South: does it make a big difference?

In terms of purchase costs, the difference is limited, as both regions fall under the Comunidad Valenciana. As a safe rule of thumb, buyers in both areas can often expect approximately 12% to 14% additional purchase costs on top of the purchase price.

The main difference is in property prices.

Costa Blanca North, with places such as Jávea, Moraira, Altea, Benissa and Calpe, is generally more expensive and has more premium and luxury real estate. Think of larger villas, sea views, hillside locations and more exclusive residential areas.

Costa Blanca South, with places such as Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura and Orihuela Costa, often offers more possibilities in the affordable and mid-range segments. As a result, the same budget can often provide more property, outdoor space or flexibility in Costa Blanca South than in Costa Blanca North.

For many buyers from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, Costa Blanca South is therefore a practical and interesting region to seriously compare.

Budget up to approximately €200,000

With a budget up to approximately €200,000, there is still property available, but it is important to be realistic about location, condition and property type.

In this price range, you will often find apartments, older resale properties, smaller townhouses or homes located slightly further from the sea. Some properties may require modernisation, for example of the kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning or outdoor areas.

For buyers mainly looking for a winter residence or an affordable second home, this budget can still be interesting. However, it is important to pay close attention to community fees, maintenance, location, parking possibilities and possible renovation costs.

Budget between €200,000 and €300,000

This is an important price range for many international buyers. With this budget, there is more choice, especially if you do not necessarily need to be directly by the sea.

You can think of well-presented apartments with a communal pool, townhouses with a terrace or solarium, semi-detached properties or resale homes in established residential areas.

In areas such as Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, parts of Torrevieja and certain areas of Orihuela Costa, this budget can be interesting. The exact possibilities depend strongly on location, year of construction, outdoor space, views and condition.

For buyers looking for a good balance between price, comfort and accessibility, this price range is often a logical starting point.

Budget between €300,000 and €400,000

With a budget between €300,000 and €400,000, the choice becomes wider and more comfortable. In this price range, you can more often look at properties with more outdoor space, better finishing or a more attractive location.

You can think of modern apartments or penthouses, spacious townhouses, semi-detached villas or detached resale villas. A property with a private pool also becomes more realistic in certain areas.

However, comparison remains important. A property of €350,000 in Ciudad Quesada is not the same as a property of €350,000 close to the sea in Guardamar, Punta Prima or Orihuela Costa.

Location remains a key factor.

Budget from approximately €400,000

From approximately €400,000, a detached villa with more space, privacy and often a private pool becomes more realistic. New-build properties can also become more interesting in this price range, depending on the location, project and level of delivery.

You can think of modern villas, larger plots, better outdoor space, more privacy or a location close to golf, amenities or the coast.

In this price range, it is especially important not to look only at the presentation. Beautiful photos do not tell the whole story. Legal checks, construction quality, permits, maintenance costs, location and future resale potential remain important.

New-build or resale?

Many buyers start their search with new-build properties. That is understandable. New-build homes look modern, are often more energy-efficient and are attractively presented.

However, resale properties can be just as interesting. They are often located in established residential areas, closer to amenities or on larger plots. You can also assess the surroundings immediately: neighbours, noise, sun orientation, traffic, community fees and the real condition of the property.

Both new-build and resale properties have advantages. The best choice depends on your wishes, budget, timeline and intended use.

Do not forget the additional purchase costs

A common mistake is to look only at the asking price of the property. When buying in Spain, you should always take additional purchase costs into account.

As a safe rule of thumb, for both resale and new-build properties, buyers can often expect approximately 12% to 14% on top of the purchase price. The composition of these costs is different.

For resale properties, the costs mainly include transfer tax, notary, land registry, lawyer and administrative costs. For new-build properties, you usually pay 10% IVA, plus AJD, notary, land registry, lawyer and administrative costs.

Short calculation example

Suppose you buy a property on the Costa Blanca South for €300,000.

Property purchase price: €300,000
Estimated purchase costs 12% - 14%: €36,000 - €42,000
Total purchase budget: approximately €336,000 - €342,000

In addition, there are often extra costs for furniture, lighting, white goods, curtains, air conditioning, terrace furniture or small adjustments. Especially with new-build properties, the home is often delivered quite basic.

That is why it is wise not only to think: “I can afford €300,000”, but especially: “What is my total budget including purchase costs and furnishing?”

Would you also like to rent out the property?

Some buyers would like to rent out their property when they are not using it themselves. This can be interesting, but it is important to investigate this properly in advance.

Not every property, urbanisation or municipality is automatically suitable for rental. Consider regulations, licences, community rules, location, facilities and local property management.

If rental is important to you, this should be included in the property selection from the beginning. A property that is perfect for personal use is not automatically the best choice for rental.

What is sensible in 2026?

Costa Blanca South remains attractive, but the market requires good preparation. If you are seriously looking, it is wise to create a clear profile in advance.

Important questions include:

• What is my total budget including purchase costs and furnishing?
• Do I want to live permanently, spend the winter months or only use the property for holidays?
• Do I want to rent out the property?
• How important is distance to the sea?
• Do I prefer new-build or resale?
• Do I need financing?
• How much outdoor space do I want?
• Which area truly suits my lifestyle?

With clear answers, the search becomes much more focused. You avoid spending time on properties that ultimately do not match your situation.

Realistic guidance on the Costa Blanca South

Buying a property in Spain is a wonderful step, but it is also an important financial decision. Good guidance helps create peace of mind, overview and confidence.

Six Oaks Properties assists international buyers in finding a property on the Costa Blanca South and Costa Cálida. From Ciudad Quesada, we help you with a realistic orientation, explanation of the buying process and guidance towards trusted partners such as lawyers, mortgage advisers and other specialists.

Would you like to know what is realistic within your budget?

Feel free to send a message via WhatsApp or complete the contact form. Together, we can look at which area, price range and property type best suit your situation.

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Six Oaks Properties
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Costa Blanca & Costa Cálida