THE NLS NEWS | 14 October 2026 | Spain Property Market
Spain’s Mediterranean coastline continues to attract international property buyers, with new figures revealing that nearly one in three homes sold in Alicante province during 2025 was purchased by a foreign non-resident.
According to figures from Spain’s Ministry of Housing, 18,857 properties were purchased by foreign buyers living outside Spain, representing approximately 33% of all residential transactions in Alicante.
The numbers reinforce the Costa Blanca’s position as one of Spain’s most internationally driven property markets, with overseas demand significantly exceeding the national average.
Alicante Leads Spain’s International Property Market
Throughout 2025, Alicante province recorded a total of 56,665 property transactions.
Of these, 18,857 involved foreign non-resident purchasers.
This represents a striking contrast to the national market, where foreign non-residents accounted for approximately 7% of property purchases.
The figures highlight the importance of international demand to the Costa Blanca’s residential sector.
When buyers from other Spanish provinces are also considered, purchasers from outside Alicante accounted for approximately 46% of transactions.
For estate agents and property developers, this demonstrates the importance of reaching buyers beyond their immediate geographical markets.
Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol: International Demand Remains Strong
The Costa Blanca is not alone in attracting substantial overseas investment.
Málaga province, home to Marbella, Estepona and the wider Costa del Sol, recorded 36,128 property transactions during 2025.
Of these, 10,091 were purchased by foreign non-residents, representing approximately 28% of sales.
Other popular Spanish destinations also recorded significant international activity:
- Alicante: 33% of purchases by foreign non-residents
- Málaga: 28%
- Balearic Islands: 23%
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 20%
- Spain nationally: Approximately 7%
These figures demonstrate the continued importance of international buyers to Spain’s coastal property markets.
While each destination attracts different buyer profiles, their shared appeal includes Mediterranean lifestyles, established international communities and access to residential and holiday properties.
Costa Blanca Property Prices Rise Nearly 19%
International demand coincides with significant property price growth across the Costa Blanca.
According to property valuation company Tinsa, average residential prices in Alicante’s coastal municipalities reached approximately €2,201 per square metre during the first quarter of 2026.
This represents an annual increase of 18.9%.
Some of the region’s most desirable destinations recorded considerably higher average prices.
Jávea: €3,455/m²
Teulada: €3,292/m²
Dénia: €2,837/m²
The figures highlight the differences between individual municipalities, with established coastal destinations commanding premiums.
However, international demand is not the only factor influencing prices. Housing availability, domestic demand, construction activity and population growth also contribute to market conditions.
Nearly Half a Million Foreign Residents Call Alicante Home
The Costa Blanca’s international appeal extends beyond property investment.
According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), Alicante province was home to approximately 497,387 foreign nationals at the beginning of 2025.
This represented 24.5% of the province’s population, the highest proportion recorded among Spanish provinces.
The number of foreign residents increased by 32,786 within a single year.
In 15 municipalities across Alicante, foreign nationals now account for more than half of the local population.
Rojales leads with approximately 68.1% foreign residents, while San Fulgencio, Daya Vieja and Benitachell also exceed 60%.
These figures reflect the Costa Blanca’s development into an established international residential destination rather than simply a holiday-home market.
International Buyers Are Changing
The traditional perception of Costa Blanca buyers as predominantly overseas retirees no longer reflects the region’s entire international population.
Approximately 68.2% of Alicante’s foreign residents are of working age.
This suggests a broader international community that includes professionals, families and people relocating permanently to Spain.
For the property industry, this creates opportunities across multiple residential segments, from holiday homes and luxury villas to family properties and permanent residences.
What Does This Mean for Spanish Real Estate Agents?
The figures highlight an important shift in how property is marketed and sold across Spain.
In markets where international buyers represent a substantial proportion of transactions, property exposure cannot be limited to individual agencies or local networks.
Buyers increasingly search across multiple regions, compare properties remotely and expect accurate, accessible information before arranging viewings.
For estate agents, this places greater importance on:
- International property visibility
- Collaboration between agencies
- Accurate and verified property information
- Multilingual marketing and communication
- Access to wider property inventories
As competition increases, the ability to connect buyers with suitable properties across agency networks becomes increasingly valuable.
The NLS Perspective: Collaboration Is Becoming Essential
The Costa Blanca’s property figures demonstrate how international Spain’s residential market has become.
With approximately one-third of Alicante’s property transactions involving foreign non-resident buyers, international exposure is no longer simply an additional marketing advantage.
It is a central component of the market.
For agencies operating across the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands and other international destinations, the opportunity lies in connecting fragmented property inventories with an increasingly global buyer audience.
The NLS supports this approach by bringing agencies together through a collaborative property network designed to improve listing visibility, information sharing and connections between buyers and properties.
As Spain’s property market continues to evolve, collaboration, verified information and wider market access will become increasingly important for agencies looking to remain competitive.
The message is clear: Spain’s international property market is expanding beyond individual agency boundaries, and the future of real estate will increasingly depend on how effectively agents work together.
Source: Spanien Press, 24 September 2026, reporting figures from Spain’s Ministry of Housing, INE and Tinsa.
Category: Spanish Property News | Costa Blanca | International Buyers | Real Estate Market
