Foreign buyers: almost half of Alicante province home sales

Between July and September 2026, 12,111 home purchases were registered in Alicante province. Foreign nationals accounted for 46.46% of them, according to the property statistics published by Spain's Land Registry association (Colegio de Registradores) on 5 November. No other Spanish province comes close.

If you are considering a purchase on the Costa Blanca, these figures tell you a lot about the market you would be joining. Here is a short summary and what it means in practice.

What the Q3 figures show

Across Spain, foreign buyers bought just over 26,300 homes in the quarter, or 16.05% of all sales. That is the highest share the Registrars have recorded, up from 13.6% in the same quarter of 2025.

Alicante province tops the table at 46.5%, ahead of Málaga (38.8%) and the Balearic Islands (37.2%). In the first quarter of the year the Alicante figure was already 44.65%, so international demand is holding steady and, if anything, growing.

Of all foreign buyers in Spain, 54.7% came from the EU and 17.8% from elsewhere in Europe. British buyers remain the largest single group (7.5%), and Polish buyers are among the top eight (4.2%).

Prices up, activity a little calmer

The average registered price in Alicante province was €2,403 per m², 6% higher than in the previous quarter. Nationally, new homes averaged €2,701 per m², above resale homes at €2,462.

At the same time, the number of sales is easing slightly: down 1.5% on the previous quarter in Alicante, and a third consecutive quarterly fall across Spain. In short, prices are still rising while the pace of transactions is slowing.

For buyers, the takeaway is simple. There is no reason to rush, but there is every reason to compare carefully. Steady international demand tends to support prices, so it pays to know what people are actually paying in each area before you commit.

Each area has its own profile

Notary data for the first quarter shows that foreign buyers are not spread evenly across the province. In Torrevieja, Polish buyers led the way; in Orihuela, British buyers; and along much of the northern coast, such as Xàbia, Dénia and Calpe, Dutch buyers. Swedish buyers are also well represented in the south.

None of this makes one area better than another. Each has its own atmosphere, amenities and price range. At WE ARE HOMES we work across the whole Costa Blanca, north and south, and we suggest starting with what you need – personal use or rental, distance to the airport, climate, budget – rather than with whichever area is in fashion.

Points to consider when buying a new build

Your real budget. On top of the price, allow around 12% for taxes and fees: 10% VAT, 1.4% stamp duty (AJD), plus notary and registry costs. This is a guide figure; your adviser can confirm it for your situation.

Payment schedule. Off-plan purchases are usually paid in stages: a reservation fee of around €5,000, 25% when signing the private contract, a further 25% a few months later and the balance at the notary on completion. With a mortgage the split often changes (for example 15% + 15%, then 70% on completion). Each developer sets its own terms, so treat this as a reference only.

Protection for your deposits. Make sure any money paid before completion is covered by a bank guarantee or insurance. The developers we work with provide this, but it is always worth asking.

Financing. In the Valencian region as a whole, the average mortgage rate was 3.25% in the quarter, and almost two in three mortgages were fixed-rate. Terms for non-residents can differ, so we recommend checking with a mortgage adviser or your bank before reserving.

Independent advice. For legal and tax matters, it is sensible to work with a lawyer or tax adviser you trust.

In short

Alicante province is now Spain's most international housing market: almost one in two purchases is made by a foreign buyer. Prices are rising while activity is easing, which is a good backdrop for comparing calmly and deciding with the full picture.

If you would like us to look at your situation, drop us a line or book a call. We are happy to answer questions about the process and, if helpful, send you new-build options that match what you are looking for.

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