The property market in Alicante: why European retirees choose it

The high quality of life, a mild climate all year round, and coastal landscapes have made Alicante one of the favorite destinations for European (as well as national) retirees in Spain.

Alicante stands out for a unique residential market where 492,894 people of foreign nationality are already registered, representing a significant 24.3% of the province’s total population according to data collected in the report by the association ASTI Alicante. Within this group, senior citizens play a fundamental role: the Costa Blanca is home to 91,398 people over 65 born outside of Spain.

In addition, the OECD has positioned the city of Alicante as an international example of urban planning due to its senior-oriented urban planning policies.

At Fotocasa, we analyze the key figures of the Alicante property market and detail the current costs to purchase a home in the best locations in the region.

What are the best areas to retire near the sea in Alicante?

How many foreign retirees are there in Alicante?

According to the official report by the association ASTI Alicante, prepared from the databases of the National Statistics Institute (INE), Alicante’s population over 65 years old born abroad reaches 91,398 residents, which is equivalent to 19.7% of the entire foreign population in the province.

Likewise, metrics from the Generalitat reflect that the senior group born outside the country represents 8.2% of the province’s elderly population, an indicator that is up to four times higher than the 2% average recorded nationally in Spain.

What nationality are the foreigners living in Alicante?

Currently, more than 15% of the foreign citizens registered in the region are originally from the United Kingdom, indisputably positioning themselves as the nationality with the highest representation across the Costa Blanca, according to the official records analyzed in the report by the association ASTI Alicante based on the INE databases.

According to the “Moving to Spain” platform, Alicante ranks as the area with the most people of British origin per 100,000 inhabitants in all of Spain, followed by Málaga. In addition, Alicante is the most searched province in Spain on Google for buying a home over the last 4 years, with more than 64,000 searches, according to data from the same platform.

The second country with the most foreign residents registered in Alicante is Morocco (47,214 residents), followed by Colombia (42,997 people), Ukraine (30,720 residents), Romania (23,816 people), and Russia (23,070).

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Foreign pensioners in the province act as a constant economic driver that helps to counteract the seasonality of conventional tourism. Furthermore, as foreign retirees receive their income in their countries of origin and spend it continuously on retail, hospitality, and leisure, they inject liquidity into the Costa Blanca without saturating the labor market.

Likewise, many retirees opt for inland villages, helping to combat depopulation, keeping essential services active such as local pharmacies or medical clinics.

Lastly, their daily consumption generates direct and indirect tax revenues and helps the country maintain a positive current account surplus, recording a greater inflow of foreign capital than what is spent abroad.

How many Spanish retirees are there in Alicante?

Alicante is also one of the favorite options for Spaniards to retire: it is the fifth region in Spain with the highest number of pensioners, according to the Institute of Economic Studies of the Province of Alicante (Ineca). Currently, Alicante records a total of 232,388 people receiving a retirement pension, 3.5% of the national total, according to Social Security data for May 2026. This figure is well above neighboring provinces like Castellón, where there are 92,291 pensioners. Alicante retirees receive an average pension of €1,347.83.

Why do foreigners (and also Spaniards) choose Alicante to retire?

The interest of foreign retirees in acquiring a home on the Costa Blanca is due to a combination of many factors: from the climate and coastal landscapes to the quality of life and public healthcare. Furthermore, Alicante has some of the cheapest areas in Spain to buy a home on the coast.

• A privileged climate throughout the year: according to historical data compiled by the AEMET, the province of Alicante records very mild average temperatures, offering more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and around 330 clear days a year. This makes it possible to maintain a healthy and active outdoor lifestyle in any season.
• Homes designed for outdoor living: the local market is dominated by the residential property type with a terrace or balcony. This architectural feature is an essential part of the home that extends the living spaces and allows making the most of daily natural light. Being the most in-demand option for buyers, these are the properties that best maintain their market value.
• Attractive cost of living: the cost of living in Alicante is more affordable than in 50% of cities in Spain, according to data from Expatistan. This allows retirees to maximize their pensions.
• First-rate international healthcare infrastructure: Spain is famous for the quality of its public healthcare, something very important for retirees. In Alicante, the public health system coexists with prestigious private clinics. A clear example is the Dénia Hospital (Marina Salud), an international reference center that offers specialized and fully multilingual medical care for the greater peace of mind of foreign residents.
• Accessible local gastronomy: Alicante also stands out for its gastronomy. The local gastronomy based on traditional Mediterranean cuisine is a fundamental pillar of social life in the province. Alicante’s gastronomy relies on fresh products from the sea and the countryside, with rice dishes as the central element.

How much does it cost to buy a property in the province of Alicante?

According to Fotocasa data for May 2026, the average price per square meter in Alicante stands at €3,170/m². This means that purchasing a typical home with an area of 80 m² implies an estimated outlay of €253,600.

The coastal areas of Calpe and Benidorm, highly popular among foreigners, record the highest prices. However, if we look at inland areas such as Jijona, we can find homes for €1,071/m², around €85,641 for an 80 m² property.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Spain? [2026]

What are the favorite areas for foreigners to retire to in Alicante and the Costa Blanca?

Alicante city, Torrevieja, Elche, Orihuela, Benidorm, Jávea, Calpe, Dénia, Rojales, and l’Alfàs del Pi are the areas with the most foreign residents in the province.

The province offers an enormous diversity of towns across its different regions, allowing everyone to find the right environment for their budget and lifestyle preference.

Below, we recommend some of the best areas if you are thinking about retiring in Alicante:

Where to buy a home in Alicante if you are looking for exclusivity and tranquility by the sea (Marina Alta)

For those who prioritize unique coastal landscapes, low crowds, and a top-tier residential environment, the municipalities located in the north of the province are the preferred choice.

Calpe (Calp): It stands out for its fine sand beaches and the imposing Peñón de Ifach. It features 13 kilometers of coastline and has very flat coastal areas that facilitate mobility on foot. According to Fotocasa data for May 2026, its price is the highest in the area at €4,846/m², which is equivalent to €387,649 for a typical 80 m² home.

Jávea (Xàbia): Organized into three traditional areas (Town, Port, and El Arenal), it combines a mild microclimate protected by the San Antonio cape and natural trails next to the Montgó. The average cost stands at €3,931/m² (€314,454 for an 80 m² apartment) in May 2026, according to Fotocasa data.

Dénia: It is the regional capital of the Marina Alta. It offers an excellent infrastructure of services, including the reference hospital Marina Salud with care in several languages, and features a direct ferry connection to the Balearic Islands. The average property price in May 2026 is €3,811/m², meaning a cost of €304,905 for an 80 m² property.

Where to live in Alicante if you are looking for urban liveliness and services close at hand: the Costa Blanca

Those who prefer having a wide commercial offer, fast transport connections, and a lively urban life all year round will find that the Costa Blanca, with areas like Benidorm or Torrevieja, offers excellent, perfectly consolidated hubs.

Benidorm: Considered the great leisure center for senior tourism, it offers social activities, events, and a mild, highly stable climate in any season. The average price stands at €4,259/m² (€340,748 for an 80 m² home), according to Fotocasa data for May 2026.

Torrevieja: Located in the Vega Baja region, it has one of the largest communities of European residents in the province and covers all urban services. The average cost of buying a home in Torrevieja in May 2026 is €3,197/m², which represents €255,765 for an 80 m² property.

Alicante (Alacant) city: Ideal for those seeking the functionality of a provincial capital, with an active cultural life, proximity to the seaport, and the international airport. According to Fotocasa data for May 2026, the square meter is priced at €2,968/m² (€237,450 for an 80 m² home).

Elche (Elx): It offers a unique environment marked by its large historical Palm Grove, museums, and protected natural areas such as the Salinas, as well as open fine sand beaches. It is an intermediate purchase option that stands at €2,038/m² (€163,076 for an 80 m² home).

The most affordable areas to buy a home in Alicante

Source: Fotocasa, data for May 2026

The most expensive areas to buy a home in Alicante

Source: Fotocasa, data for May 2026

Ultimately, the province of Alicante solidifies its position as one of the most prominent residential markets for retirement thanks to its mild climate, its natural environment, and its complete network of essential services.

The Costa Blanca offers an ideal environment to live in all year round, combining daily well-being with an excellent quality of life.

Are you looking to buy a house in front of the sea? Read our article “What it’s like to buy a home on the Valencian Coast: everything you need to know”