Costa Blanca vs Costa Cálida: 2025 Property Market

Foreign buyer share (%) in Q4 2025 — Alicante at 42.91% held the highest share of any Spanish province. Murcia at 20.74% is above average nationally, but the two markets attract very different international profiles.

In Alicante, the largest foreign buyer groups in Q1 2025 were Dutch (875 purchases), British (853), Belgian (657), Polish (581), German (452), and Ukrainian (409). In Murcia, British buyers led among non-resident foreigners at 28.7% of that group, with Dutch buyers at 15.2%. Murcia draws a more British-heavy crowd; Alicante's demand is broader across northern Europe.

The Spanish Golden Visa for property investment ended on 3 April 2025. Foreign demand now comes from lifestyle choices, retirement, holiday use, and rental investment — not residency rights through property purchase.

New-build activity grew in both provinces in 2025, but the pace in Murcia stands apart. Murcia posted 6,322 new-build sales — up 39.5% year on year. Alicante recorded 9,860, up 5.3%. In share terms, new builds account for 23% of all Murcia sales versus 18.5% in Alicante.

For buyers, that means a broader off-plan pipeline in Costa Cálida, with more current-standard properties and generally lower entry prices than equivalent new builds in Alicante. The trade-off is due diligence: a fast-growing market brings more developers and more variation in quality. Check developer credentials, bank guarantee arrangements, licence status, community cost projections, and phased completion risk before signing. Our new-build buying guide walks through the full checklist.

Murcia city posted a gross rental yield of 7.4% at end-2025, above the national average of 6.7%. Costa Blanca’s yield is lower, but the tenant pool is larger and more international — particularly in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and the Benidorm area, where year-round demand from both long-term and short-term tenants is consistent.

From 1 July 2025, all tourist and short-term lets in Spain require a national registration number to operate legally on Airbnb, Booking.com, and similar platforms. Regional requirements apply alongside that. If you plan to rent out a property, confirm national registration and regional licensing before completing. Our rental investment guide covers the full regulatory picture.