Buying an Apartment in Alicante – Guide for Swedish Buyers 2026

Alicante is one of the most interesting choices for Swedish buyers who want something other than the classic holiday profile on the Costa Blanca. The city combines beach, airport, culture, everyday services and an urban rhythm in a way that allows you to live a more complete life here than in many smaller coastal towns. That does not mean Alicante is automatically better than, say, Torrevieja, but it does mean you get a different kind of property: more city, more year-round market and greater differences between individual neighbourhoods.

Also read our guide to Alicante city and the comprehensive guide buying property in Spain if you are comparing several locations.

The most important thing to understand before buying an apartment in Alicante is therefore that the city is not just about beach-front dream images. Alicante is a real city with premium zones, family neighbourhoods, local budget areas and clear micro-location differences. Choose the right area and you can get a very strong combination of quality of life and long-term appeal. Choose the wrong one and you may pay too much for the wrong location, or buy in a neighbourhood that does not match how you actually want to live.

Who is Alicante suited for?

The editorial overview describes Alicante as particularly attractive for retirees, expats, digital nomads, young professionals and investors thanks to its climate, accessibility and broad urban everyday life.

Why does Alicante attract Swedish buyers?

Because the city offers an unusually good balance between Mediterranean life and practical daily living. You get direct flights to Alicante-Elche airport, a large international pool of buyers, healthcare, restaurant culture, history and beach all in the same city.

Unlike purely holiday resorts, Alicante functions more as a place where you can genuinely live year-round without feeling that everything revolves around the season. That makes it strong both for permanent residents and for buyers who want a property with greater urban vitality.

When does Alicante suit you less?

If you are primarily looking for the lowest possible entry price or want maximum Swedish presence, other parts of the Costa Blanca may be more straightforward. Alicante requires a bit more clarity in your choice of neighbourhood and is less "pre-packaged" for Swedish buyers than some of the classic coastal zones further south.

Which areas of Alicante suit different buyers?

This is where the whole purchase decision is made. Alicante must be understood neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Centro and Casco Antiguo

This suits you if you want to live in an urban environment and value restaurants, city buzz, history and walkability above all else. The editorial overview points to roughly 2,860 to 4,025 euros per square metre in these central areas.

It suits buyers who want a more lively everyday life than in purely resort environments. The downside is less parking friendliness, a denser urban environment and the fact that not all buildings have modern standards or a lift.

Playa de San Juan

Playa de San Juan is the strongest choice if you want beach but still want to live in a more modern part of Alicante. Here you find longer beach, more modern apartment complexes and clear international demand. The editorial overview points to approximately 3,070 to 4,150 euros per square metre.

It is particularly well suited to Swedish buyers who want a beach profile, a more modern housing stock and more resort-like comfort without completely leaving the city behind.

Cabo de las Huertas

This is the premium segment. The area is strong if you prioritise proximity to the sea, exclusivity and a quieter but more expensive coastal location. The editorial overview cites approximately 3,655 to 4,945 euros per square metre in this segment.

It is rarely the right choice for buyers with a mid-range budget, but strong for well-capitalised buyers who want Alicante without compromising on coastal quality.

Budget areas further from the beach

For more price-driven purchases, the research highlights areas such as Carolinas, Los Angeles and Virgen del Remedio, where the price range is clearly lower — approximately 1,030 to 2,235 euros per square metre.

This is where Alicante becomes interesting for buyers who want to enter the city market but do not have a premium budget. At the same time, these areas require more careful micro-location assessment than the most sought-after coastal zones.

What does an apartment in Alicante cost in 2025 and 2026?

The editorial overview describes a market with strong demand and limited supply, where prices rose by roughly 13 to 15 percent between the start of 2025 and the start of 2026.

As a broad reference point, the source material cites a median price of around 203,000 euros, or approximately 2,535 euros per square metre, for a typical property.

Is there room to negotiate in Alicante?

Yes, but the margins are not enormous in the strongest locations. The research points to around 6 percent negotiating room as a general benchmark. In practice, there is more room in weaker or older properties and less in attractive locations near the beach and city centre.

Should you buy a new-build or a second-hand apartment?

When is new-build the right choice?

New-build in Alicante suits you if you want modern energy standards, a pool, parking, a gym and lower initial maintenance costs. The editorial overview notes that new-build typically costs about 25 percent more than comparable older stock, but also comes with more modern standards and a lower risk of future wear and tear.

When is a second-hand apartment better?

Second-hand is often better if you want a strong central location where there is little new land available, or if you prioritise urban character over newly built finishes. In Alicante there are many such locations in the more classic neighbourhoods.

What is the most common mistake here?

Thinking that new-build is automatically the better purchase. In Alicante, it is often the location that drives value most. A second-hand apartment in a better neighbourhood may be more rational than a new apartment in a weaker micro-zone.

What does the purchase cost beyond the apartment price itself?

It is not enough to calculate on the listed price. The editorial overview indicates that you should budget approximately 10 to 14 percent on top of the purchase price.

What tax do you pay?

For a second-hand purchase in the Valencia/Alicante region, transfer tax of 10 percent is the key figure. For new-build you pay 10 percent VAT plus 1.5 percent stamp duty.

What other costs are there?

• notary fees
• land registry fees
• independent lawyer
• any community charges and IBI after the purchase

The editorial overview points to roughly 1 to 2 percent for legal costs and additional costs for notary and registration.

What risks must you check before buying?

Why is the legal side especially important in Alicante?

Because city locations and older stock can carry more detailed issues than a new project in a clear urbanisation. You must check debts, community charges, legal ownership, any discrepancies between the registry and reality, and whether the property is subject to any special regulations.

What does your lawyer need to check?

• Nota Simple
• that the seller is the correct legal owner
• that the property is free from unpaid debts
• that the registry and the actual property match
• that rental activity is not blocked by community rules if that is part of your plan

How do the new rental regulations affect the purchase?

The editorial overview mentions new national registration requirements for short-term lets from 2025, as well as the fact that the homeowners' community can block or restrict such arrangements with a qualified majority vote. You should therefore never buy an investment apartment and assume that Airbnb works as a matter of course.

Is Alicante the right city for your apartment?

Alicante suits you if you want more city than resort, more year-round energy than a seasonal profile, and a life where you can combine beach with genuine urban daily living. It also suits you well if you want to own in a market with a broader demand base than the most holiday-dominated locations.

It suits you less well if you just want the lowest possible price, maximum Swedish simplicity or a home where everything revolves around the holiday coast. In that case, other parts of the Costa Blanca are often a better match.

For the right buyer, Alicante is one of the most balanced apartment purchases in eastern Spain. But only if you choose the right area for the right everyday life.

Frequently asked questions about buying an apartment in Alicante

Last updated: 2026-04-02. Price levels, taxes and rental regulations may change over time.