Costa Blanca sales climb again — Jávea becomes Spain’s priciest town

Costa Blanca confirms its place among the busiest real estate Spain markets

The Costa Blanca confirmed its place among the busiest real estate Spain markets in 2025, posting rising sales and a high share of international buyers. The headline figures are impressive: 53,385 transactions in 2025, a 2.9% rise on 2024, and a provincial market that ranks third in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. Yet beneath the totals, the data point to changing buyer profiles and new risks that anyone considering a purchase should weigh carefully.

Quick takeaways for buyers and investors

• Total registered sales: 53,385 (2025), up 2.9% year-on-year.
• Second-hand homes: 81.5% of transactions.
• New-build: 18.5% of transactions.
• Share of Valencian Community market: Alicante province is 47.3% of sales.
• International buyers in Alicante: 43.3% of purchases; 23.7% of all foreign purchases in Spain occur in Alicante.
• Foreign demand trend: down 13.4% year-on-year.
• Jávea (Xàbia) average price: €3,436/m², up 13.3%; average asking price for single-family homes €1.4m; 64% of buyers in Jávea are foreign.

These figures come from an annual report published by Eurojavea Real Estate, which specialises in the Costa Blanca premium segment, and were presented with commentary from Luis Alberto Fabra Garcés (Real Estate Market Chair) and Eurojavea manager Stephan Fremeijer.

What the numbers actually mean for buyers

A rise in transactions does not automatically equal easy buying opportunities. Here’s how we interpret the main trends and what they mean for different buyer types.

For international buyers and expats

International demand remains a defining feature: 43.3% of purchases in Alicante province were by foreign buyers in 2025. That is a high proportion and a structural advantage for the Costa Blanca, but demand fell 13.4% year-on-year, which matters.

• Why it still matters: Alicante accounts for 23.7% of all foreign purchases in Spain. That concentration means international services, property law advisers, and rental demand are well developed in many towns, easing the buying process.
• Why the drop matters: A fall of 13.4% signals lower urgency among some foreign buyers and suggests that currency swings, travel costs, or legal/regulatory clarity may be cooling demand. Buyers paying in foreign currency should model downside scenarios and take exchange-rate risk seriously.

Top nationalities showing interest remain Poland, the UK and the Netherlands, which will shape neighbourhood dynamics and rental demand in those areas.

For investors

The dominance of second-hand sales (81.5%) confirms the Costa Blanca has a deep resale market. That is attractive for investors who value liquidity and a steady stream of comparables for valuation.

• Rental investors should note the continued international appetite and established demand in holiday and long-stay segments, especially in towns with international infrastructure.
• Capital growth prospects look reasonable: prices rose in premium towns such as Jávea, but forecast growth is set to be moderate rather than dramatic.

For owner-occupiers and relocators

Eurojavea and market chairs highlighted a generational shift: buyers are younger and more likely to relocate permanently rather than buy a retirement or second holiday home. This changes what matters:

• Buyers will prioritise services, schools and legal certainty.
• Properties that are ready to live in, close to international schools or with consistent utilities, will be in higher demand.

Why Jávea matters: a premium pocket with systemic implications

The report singles out Jávea (Xàbia) as the most expensive municipality in the Valencian Community.

• Average price per square metre: €3,436, up 13.3% year-on-year.
• Average asking price for single-family homes: €1.4 million.
• Share of foreign buyers in Jávea: 64%.

Jávea’s jump matters for the wider market in two ways. First, it highlights the strength of the premium segment on the Costa Blanca, where international buyers cluster and push prices higher. Second, Jávea sets a pricing benchmark for nearby towns: when Jávea accelerates, neighbouring markets often follow, because buyers trade off proximity to quality beaches, marinas and services.

That said, premium towns are also the most vulnerable to sudden shifts in foreign demand. If the number of international buyers softens further, resale volumes could tighten quickly at the top end and lead to longer listing times.

Where the market is strongest — and where it cools

Alicante province is the engine of the Valencian Community property market, responsible for 47.3% of the region’s sales. Municipalities such as Torrevieja, Alicante and Orihuela rank among Spain’s top 15 by transaction volume.

But the pattern within the province is uneven:

• High-volume towns (Torrevieja, Alicante, Orihuela) offer more choices and better liquidity for entry-level buyers and investors.
• Premium towns (Jávea, Benidorm, Calpe) are where price growth has concentrated; Jávea now leads with €3,436/m², ahead of Benidorm (€3,081/m²) and Calpe (€3,042/m²).

The split between second-hand (81.5%) and new-build (18.5%) means renovators and developers have different opportunities. New-build is a smaller slice of total activity, but it often targets buyers seeking modern finishes, energy efficiency and turnkey living.

Risks and headwinds buyers should not overlook

Growth and foreign demand are attractive, but buyers and investors should weigh real risks.

• Foreign buyer decline: -13.4% in international purchases across the province indicates sensitivity to external factors (exchange rates, travel costs, visa rules, and tax changes).
• Rising premium prices: Jávea’s 13.3% rise in average price per square metre could compress rental yields for investors who pay top prices.
• Supply constraints: With a high share of resale transactions, buyers focused on new-builds may face a smaller selection and longer waiting times.
• Regulatory and legal issues: Eurojavea and market experts stressed legal certainty as a decisive factor for international buyers. Buyers should budget for professional legal advice, land registry checks and full planning searches.

Practical mitigation steps:

• Insist on full documentation and title checks before committing.
• Stress-test purchase costs against 10-20% swings in exchange rates if paying from abroad.
• Factor in longer exit times for premium properties if the international buyer pool shrinks further.

2026 outlook — steady but not repeat performance

Market leaders warned that matching the record activity of 2025 will be difficult.