Sales and nationalities in Alicante’s real estate market
Even with fewer operations lately, selling homes in Alicante remains a profitable business that surged last September. Notary statistics reveal the province achieved 3.989 million euros in activity. Foreign buyers consistently spend more than locals, with average investments reaching 187,941 euros per operation for foreigners, compared to 119,904 euros for domestic buyers. Yet behind these figures lies a clear truth: substantial differences by nationality reflect distinct motivations and budgets for purchasing a home in Alicante.
Logically, those relocating to the Costa Blanca in search of a second home tend to have greater purchasing power and spend more. By contrast, immigrants who moved to the region for work or economic reasons often seek more affordable properties.
According to data from the Valencian Community Notary College, Dutch buyers are the largest foreign investors in the region, with an average purchase value of 293,077 euros in the third quarter. Their preference for larger homes in high-occupancy districts, especially Xàbia, and a tendency toward chalets help explain this trend. The Dutch rank as the third most numerous international clients for local real estate agencies, recording 1,999 completed transactions by September, with numbers rising steadily after the pandemic.
Next in line for average budget is Switzerland, with an average of 231,600 euros per purchase. The overall volume of Swiss transactions remains modest in the first nine months, totaling 249 deals. Germans follow closely, averaging 226,388 euros per purchase. The higher prices in traditional luxury destinations like the Balearics have redirected some German demand toward the Costa Blanca, reflected in 1,631 sales this year.
In fourth place are Belgians, investing around 223,434 euros on average. Fifth place is occupied by residents from the United Kingdom with an average of 196,987 euros. And sixth, the English again show a similar average expenditure, now at 196,987 euros per property. For each property acquired in the region, the average cost has grown by about 24 percent over the past two years.
On the opposite end, Moroccan buyers tend to choose the most affordable options, with an average spend around 44,140 euros. Algerians spend about 60,875 euros per purchase in Alicante. The available statistics do not detail buyers from other nationalities in South America, among others.
Regional distribution and leading districts
Notarial data also reveals where foreigners purchase within districts and which areas attract the most activity. Torrevieja leads with 4,618 transactions through September, representing about one in five international purchases in the province. There has also been a notable shift in buyer profiles, with dialectic groups overtaking the previously dominant Swedish buyers.
Following Torrevieja, Orihuela records 3,056 transactions, marking a meaningful drop of roughly 10 percent from the previous year. The British remain the largest group of international buyers in the local market. In the city of Alicante, foreign demand reached 2,123 transactions, with Algerians and Ukrainians among the strongest buyers. Other prominent municipalities include Calpe with 805 transactions, Santa Pola with 779, Benidorm with 711, Guardamar with 682, and Denia with 597. Elche municipality reported 487 transactions.
Overall, the province accounts for about 20.36 percent of all real estate transactions in Spain by citizens of foreign countries. During the first nine months of the year, 7,461 detached houses accounted for 33 percent of purchases, while 15,127 flats and apartments completed the market mix.
These patterns reflect a dynamic market where foreign buyers contribute significantly to activity in Alicante, with variations by nationality, district, and property type. The latest notarial data provides a nuanced view of who buys where and for how much, shaping future demand and investment in the region, as reported by the Valencian Community Notary College.