Buying a House in Torrevieja – Complete Guide for Swedish Buyers 2026

Buying a house in Torrevieja is one of the smartest choices for Swedish buyers who want a property by the Mediterranean. The city offers a price level that is still below northern Costa Blanca, a genuinely Spanish community with full infrastructure year-round, and over 300 sunny days per year. The average price per square metre is around €2,700 for apartments and €2,635 for villas, with entry prices from €85,000 for a smaller apartment. The process normally takes four to eight weeks and the total purchase costs on top of the price come to 10–13 percent. In this guide we cover everything — from prices and areas to the step-by-step process, taxes, mortgages and the most common mistakes Swedish buyers make.

What does it cost to buy a house in Torrevieja?

Prices in Torrevieja vary considerably depending on area, property type and condition. During 2026 the market has shown stable price development with annual growth of approximately 4.3 percent — a sustainable increase driven by infrastructure investments rather than speculation. Here is an overview of what you can expect to pay in the most popular areas.

Centro and Playa del Cura are the neighbourhoods with highest demand thanks to their proximity to the beach, amenities and restaurants. Here apartments dominate, and prices per square metre are around €2,460. If you want a studio, prices start from €55,000.

Torrevieja as a whole has an average price of €2,719 per square metre for apartments — considerably lower than northern Costa Blanca where towns like Jávea and Moraira can be €3,500–5,000 per square metre.

La Mata – best beach at a lower price

La Mata in northern Torrevieja offers the best ratio of beach quality to price. The beach is over two kilometres long, has Blue Flag certification and is surrounded by natural sand dunes. Despite superior beach quality, prices are 15–20 percent below central Torrevieja. The area attracts buyers who prioritise peace and natural experiences over city buzz — perfect if you plan to live here year-round.

Punta Prima – modern housing at the border with Orihuela Costa

Punta Prima represents Torrevieja's most modern residential area, with resort-style new-build apartments featuring glazed terraces, solariums and infinity pools. Prices per square metre are €2,713 with an annual price increase of 7.6 percent — the strongest in the municipality. The area attracts remote workers, young families and investors.

Rental yield for investors

If you buy for rental you can expect an average rental yield of 6.7 percent in Torrevieja. Studios give the highest yield at 9.5 percent with an average monthly rent of €650. A two-bedroom apartment generates approximately €850 per month with 6.5 percent yield. Compared to most European markets these are competitive figures.

What does the purchase process look like step by step?

Buying property in Spain differs markedly from the Swedish property market. In Sweden we have strictly regulated estate agents, mandatory surveys and a transparent market with access to historical sale prices. Spain works differently, and it is important to understand the process before you enter it.

Step 1: Get a NIE number

The NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreign identification number in Spain and absolutely essential to be able to complete a property purchase. Without a NIE you cannot buy property, open a bank account or sign an electricity contract.

You can apply either at the Policía Nacional in Spain, where it can often be completed the same day to within three weeks, or via the Spanish embassy in Stockholm. Bring your passport, completed form EX-15 and a copy of the purchase contract or a certificate from the estate agent showing that you plan to buy.

Step 2: Open a Spanish bank account

With your NIE in hand you can open a bank account at a Spanish bank — CaixaBank, Sabadell, BBVA and Santander all have branches in Torrevieja with multilingual staff. The process normally takes one working day. You need the account to pay taxes, deposit and running costs such as electricity and water.

Non-residents pay higher account fees than Spanish citizens, and the bank will require documentation about where the money comes from (anti-money-laundering law). Have transfer receipts and bank statements to hand.

Step 3: Hire a lawyer and possibly a gestor

Hire a Spanish property lawyer (abogado inmobiliario) who has experience helping foreign buyers. The lawyer checks the land registry, identifies debts and legal obstacles, reviews the contract and represents you at the purchase. The cost is normally €1,200–3,000 or 0.5–1 percent of the purchase price.

A gestor (administrative handler) can be worth hiring to handle the NIE application, utility transfers and municipal registrations. Cost: €300–600.

Step 4: Find the right property and reserve it

When you have found your dream property a reservation agreement (reserva) is normally signed with a deposit of €3,000–6,000. The agreement takes the property off the market for one to two weeks while the documents are checked. Note that the deposit is usually non-refundable if you pull out.

Unlike Sweden, there is no mandatory survey in Spain. As a Swedish buyer you should absolutely order an independent technical survey of older properties, especially buildings from before 1980. The cost is €800–2,500 depending on size — an investment that can save you hundreds of thousands of kronor.

Step 5: Legal review (due diligence)

Your lawyer requests a Nota Simple from the land registry, which costs approximately €10–15, showing who owns the property, any mortgages, easements and other restrictions. Additionally checked are:

• Community debts — Debts from previous owners can be transferred to the new owner (up to four years of debts). Request a debt certificate (certificado de deuda de comunidad).
• Planning permission compliance — Check that no unauthorised extensions, pools or renovations exist. Illegal constructions can lead to demolition orders and fines of tens of thousands of euros.
• First occupation licence (Licencia de Primera Ocupación) — Mandatory for new builds.

Step 6: Sign the purchase contract (Contrato de Arras)

The formal purchase contract (Contrato de Arras) is normally drawn up before a notary or lawyer. Here you pay 10 percent of the purchase price as a deposit. The contract specifies the final price, completion date (usually one to two months ahead) and consequences if either party pulls out:

• Buyer pulls out: Deposit is forfeited.
• Seller pulls out: Must pay back double the deposit.

Step 7: Apply for a mortgage (if needed)

If you need financing you should have advance approval (pre-approval) from the bank before you sign the contract. More about mortgages for Swedish buyers further down in the article.

Step 8: Notary signature and completion (Escritura Pública)

On the completion date the buyer, seller and notary meet to sign the public deed of purchase (Escritura Pública). The notary's role in Spain is more extensive than in Sweden — they read out the entire document aloud, verify identities and witness the signatures.

You pay the remaining purchase price by banker's draft and receive the keys. The notary's office sends the documents to the land registry for official registration, which takes one to two months.

Step 9: Register and move in

After completion there remains:

• Empadronamiento — Register with the municipality (Ayuntamiento). Needed for healthcare, tax residency and municipal services.
• Electricity, water and internet — Transfer the contracts to your name via the respective providers. Allow 3–8 working days.
• Home insurance — Costs €75–200 per year depending on the property's size.

What costs are added on top of the price?

This is one of the most important points for Swedish buyers to understand. The total purchase costs on top of the price come to 10–13 percent. Here is a complete breakdown:

Transfer tax (ITP) – 10 percent

When buying a resale property you pay 10 percent Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP) in the Valencia region. The tax is calculated on the higher of the purchase price and the official cadastral value (valor catastral). It is not worth trying to state a lower price in the contract — the tax authority makes its own assessment.

When buying a new build you instead pay 10 percent VAT (IVA) plus 1.5 percent stamp duty (AJD). If the property becomes your permanent home, stamp duty can be reduced to 0.1 percent.

Notary fee – €600–900

Notary fees are set by law and cannot be negotiated. The exact amount depends on the purchase price and the length of the document.

Land registry – approximately €400

The property registry charges a fee for registering the change of ownership. The amount depends on the cadastral value.

Lawyer's fee – €1,200–3,000

The cost varies depending on complexity. Some lawyers charge a fixed fee, others charge 0.5–1 percent of the purchase price.

Gestoría – €300–600

Optional, but recommended for handling the NIE application, utility transfers and administrative paperwork.

Calculation example: Apartment for €150,000

That means you need approximately €18,350 (12.2 percent) on top of the purchase price itself. If you also take a mortgage and need a 30–40 percent deposit, you need to have at least €63,000–78,000 in liquid funds for a property at €150,000.

Can I get a mortgage in Spain as a Swedish buyer?

Yes, Spanish banks offer mortgages to non-residents, but the terms differ markedly from Swedish mortgages. Here is what you need to know.

Loan-to-value and deposit

As a non-resident you can borrow a maximum of 60–70 percent of the property's value (LTV). That means a deposit of 30–40 percent, considerably more than the 15 percent standard in Sweden. Add 10–13 percent in purchase costs and you need to have at least 40–53 percent of the purchase price in own funds.

Interest rates and term

Fixed rates for non-residents are currently 2.9–4.9 percent. Variable rates start at around 3.5 percent, based on Euribor — currently around 2.1 percent — plus the bank's margin. The maximum term is 20–25 years, and the loan must be repaid by age 70–75 at the latest.

Documentation required

Spanish banks require extensive documentation from foreign borrowers:

• Pay slips (3–6 months)
• Tax returns (2–3 years)
• Employment contract
• Bank statements showing financial stability
• Credit report from Sweden
• List of assets

All documents must be translated into Spanish by an authorised translator and sometimes apostilled.

Currency risk to consider

If you earn in Swedish kronor but pay the mortgage in euros you are exposed to currency risk throughout the entire loan period. Over the past five years the SEK/EUR rate has varied enough to create a difference of €1,700+ per year on a monthly payment of €1,200. Consider fixed-rate agreements and specialised currency services offering forward contracts to lock in the exchange rate for up to two years.

Which are the best areas in Torrevieja to buy in?

The choice of area depends on what you are looking for. Here is a summary:

For permanent living: La Mata offers fantastic beach quality, a calm atmosphere and an authentic Spanish daily life at more reasonable prices. The nature park with flamingos and walking trails makes it perfect for retirees and families.

For rental investment: Centro and Playa del Cura generate the highest occupancy year-round. Everything is within walking distance of the beach and tourists flock there regardless of season.

For modern standards: Punta Prima has the newest properties with a resort feel, glazed terraces and infinity pools. Prices are higher but the rate of price increase is the strongest.

For space and peace: Los Balcones and Los Altos are situated a little inland by the famous pink salt lakes. Here you find detached villas with pools and panoramic views, perfect if you want your own house with a garden.

Compared to Orihuela Costa: The neighbouring municipality Orihuela Costa offers new builds and golf courses but has 15–20 percent higher living costs and a more tourist-focused character. Torrevieja gives you a genuine Spanish city with full infrastructure year-round.

Common mistakes Swedish buyers make in Torrevieja

1. Skipping the lawyer

Not hiring an independent lawyer is the most expensive mistake you can make. Unpaid community fees of €10,000+, illegal extensions at risk of demolition, or disputed ownership — all of this is discovered by a lawyer but easily missed by an inexperienced buyer.

2. Trusting the estate agent blindly

In Sweden estate agents are licensed and regulated. In Spain there are no such requirements. Some agents are extremely competent and reliable, others lack basic knowledge. Always do your own research and let the lawyer review everything.

3. Underestimating purchase costs

Many Swedish buyers budget only for the purchase price and are surprised by the 10–13 percent added in taxes and fees. Plan your entire budget including all costs before you start searching.

4. Not checking planning permissions and licences

Extensions, pools and renovations without planning permission are common in Spain. It can lead to fines, demolition orders and problems at future sale. Always let the lawyer verify that everything is legal.

5. Expectations from the Swedish market

Swedish buyers often expect the same transparency and standards as at home — professional surveys, complete history and regulated processes. Spain works differently. Adjust your expectations, but compensate by hiring the right professional help.

6. Ignoring the currency risk

Buying in euros with a Swedish income means a constant currency risk. Plan for exchange rate fluctuations and consider spreading your currency purchases over time or using forward contracts.

How Torrevieja compares to other areas on Costa Blanca

Torrevieja differs from pure tourist resorts by being a full-scale Spanish city with 80,000+ inhabitants, a hospital, schools, shops and year-round services. That means your investment does not depend solely on tourism — there is a stable local market.

Compared to Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja has lower prices and living costs but fewer new-build properties. Compared to northern Costa Blanca (Jávea, Moraira, Dénia), Torrevieja is 30–50 percent lower in price but offers a different type of living — more urban character and less village character.

Alicante-Elche airport is approximately 40 minutes away with direct flights from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, making Torrevieja one of the most accessible destinations in Spain for Swedish buyers.

Timeline: How long it takes to buy property in Torrevieja

Summary: Is Torrevieja the right choice for you?

Torrevieja suits those who want an affordable property by the Mediterranean in a genuinely Spanish community with full services year-round. With average prices of €2,700 per square metre, stable price growth of 4.3 percent and a rental yield of almost 7 percent, it is hard to find better conditions on Costa Blanca.

The key to a successful purchase is thorough preparation: get your NIE in good time, hire a good lawyer, understand all costs and don't expect the Spanish market to work like the Swedish one. If you do that, you have all the conditions for a safe and successful property purchase in Torrevieja.