Ground Floor Apartment in Spain – Pros and Cons 2026

A ground floor apartment — or planta baja as it is called in Spanish — is the most common type of property among Scandinavians on the Costa Blanca. You get direct access to a terrace and garden, avoid stairs and effectively live outdoors for eight months of the year. Prices start at around 55,000 euros for older bungalows in Torrevieja and 85,000 euros for new-build, while a modern ground floor apartment with 2 bedrooms and a shared pool in Orihuela Costa costs 140,000–200,000 euros.

But ground floor living has its downsides. Damp, insects, privacy issues and burglary risk are all factors you need to weigh up. Since the DANA flooding in the Valencia region in October 2024 — when 237 people died and thousands of ground floor units suffered water damage — flood risk has become a critical issue for anyone looking at ground floor properties.

In this guide we go through what a ground floor apartment in Spain actually means, what types exist, what they cost, the advantages and disadvantages you need to know, and what to check before you sign the purchase contract.

What is a ground floor apartment in Spain?

In Spain a property on the ground floor is called planta baja — regardless of whether it is an apartment in a multi-storey building or a detached bungalow in a low-rise complex. The term ground floor apartment is used loosely among Swedish buyers and can refer to anything from a ground floor flat in central Torrevieja to a villa-style bungalow with a private garden in Ciudad Quesada.

What all ground floor apartments have in common is that you live at ground level with direct outdoor access — unlike apartments on floors 1–3 reached via stairs or a lift. In most urbanizaciones (residential estates) along the coast this means a private terrace or patio of 15–60 square metres, and sometimes an enclosed garden.

The English term ground floor apartment and the Spanish planta baja are synonyms. On property listings on Idealista or Fotocasa you often see the filter "planta baja" or "bungalow bajo" to find these properties.

What types of ground floor apartment are there?

The range of ground floor apartments in Spain is broader than many people think. Here are the most common types you come across along the coast.

Bungalow bajo (ground floor with garden)

The classic Costa Blanca bungalow — a single-storey home in a low-rise complex with its own entrance, private terrace and often a small enclosed garden. Typically 2 bedrooms, 1–2 bathrooms, 55–80 square metres of living space plus 20–40 square metres of patio. Found in thousands of urbanizaciones from the 1980s onwards.

The bungalow bajo differs from the bungalow alto (the upper floor of the same complex, which instead has a solarium/roof terrace). The ground floor has garden access but less natural light and fewer views.

Ground floor apartment in a multi-storey building

A standard apartment in a residential building with 3–5 floors, located on the ground floor. Found in cities such as Torrevieja, Alicante and Fuengirola. Often with a small patio (10–20 m²) or direct access to a shared pool. Cheaper per square metre than the same type on a higher floor — property experts estimate that the ground floor is 10–20% cheaper than an apartment on the second floor.

Quad (four homes around a shared garden)

A quad consists of four connected homes that share a communal courtyard or garden. Each unit has its own entrance and a private section of the garden. Quads are popular in Orihuela Costa, Villamartín and Ciudad Quesada — they give the feel of a terraced house but with more green space. Typically 2–3 bedrooms, 70–100 m², often with a solarium.

Duplex planta baja (ground floor + basement level)

A two-floor home where the ground floor has the living room, kitchen and terrace, and the lower floor (semisótano) contains bedrooms and an extra bathroom. Provides more living space on a small plot. Popular in new-build along the southern Costa Blanca. Bear in mind that the lower floor can have poorer ventilation and more damp.

Why are ground floor apartments popular among Scandinavians?

Scandinavian buyers in Spain — particularly retirees and half-year residents — are drawn to ground floor apartments for one simple reason: outdoor living. When you live on the ground floor in southern Spain you effectively live on your terrace. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening drinks happen outdoors for 8–10 months a year in a climate with 300+ sunny days.

There is also an accessibility reason. Many Swedish buyers in their 60s and 70s are planning for the next 15–20 years. A home without stairs — or with minimal steps — means you can stay on even if your mobility decreases. Spanish lifts in older apartment buildings are often small and unreliable, and buildings with 3–4 floors and no lift are common in coastal towns.

Finally, ground floor apartments are practical for pets. Direct access to a patio or garden makes morning and evening walks straightforward — something many Swedish dogs appreciate after the transition from a Nordic winter to a Mediterranean climate.

What does a ground floor apartment in Spain cost?

Prices vary considerably depending on type, location and condition. Here is an overview of what to expect in the most popular areas for Scandinavians in 2026.

Sources: Idealista 2026, Engel & Völkers 2026, Alegria Real Estate 2025

An important pricing factor is the ground floor discount. Ground floor apartments in multi-storey buildings are generally 10–20% cheaper per square metre than an equivalent apartment on the second or third floor of the same building. This is because Spanish buyers traditionally prefer higher floors with more light and views. But for foreign buyers — who prioritise terrace and garden — this is an opportunity to get more for their money.

Detached bungalows in urbanizaciones do not have the same price reduction. There, the price is driven more by plot size, condition and proximity to the pool and facilities.

What are the advantages of a ground floor apartment?

Direct outdoor access

The obvious advantage. You step straight out onto your terrace or garden. No lift, no stairs, no shared balcony to share with neighbours. In a climate with 320 sunny days per year, this means your living space effectively increases by the size of your patio.

Accessibility without stairs

Perfect for older people, those with mobility issues or families with young children. Being free of stairs in daily life is a luxury that becomes more important with age. Wheelchair, walking frame or pushchair — everything works without obstacles if the property is properly adapted.

Lower price per square metre

As mentioned above: in multi-storey buildings you pay 10–20% less per square metre on the ground floor compared to a higher floor. That makes ground floor apartments a value-for-money option for those who do not prioritise views.

Pet-friendly

Direct access to a patio or garden makes life with a dog or cat easier. No lift ride in the middle of the night, no grumpy neighbour in the stairwell. Many urbanizaciones on the Costa Blanca are pet-friendly with walkways and green spaces.

Less dependent on the lift

Lifts in Spanish apartment complexes from the 1980s and 90s are known for breaking down — and repairs can take weeks. On the ground floor you are unaffected.

Cooler in summer

Ground floors stay naturally cooler during the hottest summer months thanks to contact with the ground. You can save 20–30% on air conditioning compared to a sun-exposed top floor.

What are the disadvantages of a ground floor apartment?

Damp and mould

The most serious problem with ground floor apartments in Spain. Ground floors have direct contact with the earth, and combined with inadequate drainage and insulation — common in buildings from the 1970s to 1990s — this can lead to damp problems, condensation and mould. Damp is particularly common during the autumn months (September–November) when humidity rises and night temperatures fall.

Signs to look for: bubbling or peeling wall paint, dark marks along skirting boards, musty smell in wardrobes, condensation on the inside of windows.

Insects and pests

Ground floor living means proximity to the ground, and with it come ants, cockroaches, silverfish and sometimes scorpions. Insects get in more easily through gaps in doors and windows on the ground floor. Cockroaches (cucarachas) are a fact of life in southern Spain — they come out of drains and vents, and ground floors are the most exposed. Regular pest control (fumigación) costs 60–120 euros per year and is recommended for all ground floor apartments.

Burglary risk

Ground floors are more vulnerable to burglary than higher floors. Windows and patio doors at ground level are physically accessible from the street, garden or courtyard. In Spain approximately 60,000 burglaries were reported in the first half of 2023, and ground floors are overrepresented in the statistics.

The solution: rejas (window bars) are standard on ground floor apartments in Spain and cost 150–400 euros per window. Modern security doors, motion sensors and camera surveillance further reduce the risk. Check that the home insurance covers burglary.

Overlooking and lack of privacy

Passers-by can look straight into your home if you lack hedges, fencing or blinds. Particularly in densely built urbanizaciones and along footpaths, the lack of privacy can be intrusive. The solution is celosías (trellis panels), pergola roofs with climbing plants or frosted glass — but budget 500–2,000 euros to sort it out properly.

Flood risk (DANA)

The DANA disaster on 29 October 2024 brought flood risk into sharp focus. More than a year's normal rainfall fell in eight hours in parts of the Valencia region. Water levels in affected communities reached 1.8 metres and thousands of ground floor units were completely destroyed. Around 358,000 properties in Spain are in so-called zonas de flujo preferente — zones with high flood risk.

Always check the Confederación Hidrográfica maps before buying a ground floor property. A home near a rambla (dry river bed) or in a low-lying area should be avoided entirely regardless of price.

What should you check when buying a ground floor apartment?

In addition to the standard checks for all property purchases in Spain (Nota Simple, debts, building permits, Cédula de Habitabilidad), there are specific things to investigate for ground floor apartments.

Damp inspection

Hire an independent surveyor (perito) to check for damp in walls, floors and ceilings. A damp test costs 150–300 euros and can reveal hidden problems not visible to the naked eye. Pay particular attention to: bathrooms and kitchen (pipe connections), exterior walls against the ground, wardrobes and storage areas without ventilation.

Drainage and sewage

Check that the property has working drainage around the foundations. In older buildings proper drainage systems are sometimes absent, leading to water accumulation during heavy rain. Ask the community manager whether there have been any water ingress incidents in the ground floor units.

Flood zone

Request a risk report (informe de riesgos) showing whether the property is in a flood zone. Check the SNCZI maps (Sistema Nacional de Cartografía de Zonas Inundables). If the property is in a risk zone, check that insurance is in place and what it covers.

Community rules

Check the homeowners' association (comunidad de propietarios) rules for ground floor units. Some associations prohibit glazing of terraces, restrict pet sizes or have restrictions on garden maintenance. Ask to read the association's bylaws (estatutos) and the most recent annual general meeting minutes (actas).

Security

Check the existing security installations: window bars (rejas), security door, alarm, outdoor lighting. If these are absent, budget 1,500–4,000 euros to install basic security equipment.

Terrace and garden – what is included?

Check exactly what is private space and what is communal. The homeowners' association bylaws typically specify which areas belong to the ground floor apartment and what is community land. Misunderstandings about terrace and garden areas are one of the most common disputes in Spanish homeowners' associations.

Ground floor apartment vs upper floor apartment – how do you choose?

Rule of thumb: Choose ground floor if you prioritise outdoor living, accessibility and pets. Choose an upper floor if you prioritise views, light, security and lower maintenance. And if you want the best of both worlds — look at a bungalow alto with a solarium, which gives you private outdoor space on the roof without the ground floor's disadvantages.

Which areas are best for ground floor apartments?

The supply of ground floor apartments in Spain is greatest along the southern Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida, where low-rise urbanizaciones dominate. Here are the best areas for Scandinavians.

Torrevieja and La Mata

Torrevieja has the widest range of ground floor apartments across all price ranges — from older bungalows for 55,000 euros to modern new-builds for 250,000 euros. La Mata north of Torrevieja offers a calmer environment with beach access and a nature reserve. The average price in the Torrevieja area is 2,327 euros per square metre, but ground floor apartments generally come in below the average.

Orihuela Costa

Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Villamartín and Cabo Roig have thousands of bungalow complexes from the 1990s onwards. Here you find modern quads and bungalows with a shared pool, padel court and landscaped gardens. Large Scandinavian community with Swedish restaurants, medical centre and the Scandinavian school in Playa Flamenca.

Ciudad Quesada

Ciudad Quesada was built for retirees who want villa-style living at ground floor level. Plenty of detached bungalows with private gardens and sometimes a private pool. Quiet, green and close to golf courses. Prices are 10–15% lower than in Orihuela Costa for equivalent quality.

Costa Cálida – Los Alcázares and San Pedro del Pinatar

The fastest-growing alternative for Scandinavians who want new-build ground floor apartments at lower prices. New-build bungalows with 2–3 bedrooms, private garden and shared pool from 150,000 euros. The region had Spain's strongest price growth in 2025 with a 29.6% rise, so the window for low prices is closing.

Costa del Sol – Fuengirola and Mijas

More expensive but with a broader range of international services, international schools and restaurants. Ground floor apartments on the Costa del Sol start at around 150,000 euros for older properties and 280,000+ euros for new-build. Popular among Swedish families.