Dutch buyers have overtaken Brits on the Costa Blanca — average purchase €315,334

Dutch buyers have overtaken Brits on the Costa Blanca — what the numbers tell us

If you are following the property in Spain market, this is one of the clearest recent shifts: buyers from the Netherlands became the largest spenders in Alicante province in the first half of 2025, pushing the British further down the value rankings. New data from the General Council of Notaries for H1 2025 show an unmistakable change in who is driving demand for higher-value homes on the Costa Blanca.

The headline figures are blunt and useful. The average Dutch family spent €315,334 on a property in Alicante in H1 2025 — higher than Swiss buyers at €286,446, Norwegians at €276,110, Belgians at €275,095, the French at €236,655, and British buyers at €230,623. For context, the average foreign buyer in the province now pays €216,602, which is about 40% higher than five years ago and nearly €80,000 more than the average local Spanish buyer, who pays €137,437.

These numbers are more than trivia. They point to changing buyer profiles, different housing segments, and policy-driven demand shifts that matter for anyone buying, selling or investing in Alicante.

How and why Dutch buyers moved to the top

Several clear patterns explain why Dutch purchasers are now the biggest spenders per transaction on the Costa Blanca:

• Different buyer objectives. According to notaries’ data and local market reporting, the Dutch are buying more new-build villas and homes in exclusive urbanisations, often as primary or long-term residences rather than seasonal second homes.
• Product preference. New-build, modern villas and gated developments command higher prices than older, smaller holiday apartments. The average Dutch purchase of €315,334 aligns with the type of product they target.
• Financial capacity and developer targeting. Developers in Alicante have focused construction and marketing on higher-margin projects aimed at Northern European markets. That strategy attracts buyers able to spend more on contemporary properties with amenities and security.

From an investor perspective, that means the northern-European buyer segment is paying premiums for quality, location and long-term liveability. If you are targeting rental yield from long-term expat tenants or resale to similar buyers, new-build villas and higher-spec developments remain attractive, but you must pay a price premium for that position.

Why British spend fell and how Brexit altered demand

The shift is not because Brits stopped buying; they still purchase the most units in Alicante province by volume. The difference is in what they buy and how much they spend. Several mechanics are at work:

• Residency/time limits. Since Brexit, UK nationals who are not residents in an EU country are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules. That has changed preferences: many British buyers are now focused on “lock-up-and-leave” holiday apartments rather than on high-end permanent residences.
• Product choice and price point. The British market has tilted towards more affordable apartment stock in areas such as Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, where holiday rentals and short-stay use dominate. That shifts the average British spend down to €230,623 in the period measured.

I think the Brexit effect is straightforward: limited stay rights reduce the practical appeal of buying a high-value primary residence unless the buyer obtains Spanish residency by other means. The market reaction is predictable — higher spending from buyers who plan to live in Spain more permanently, and more modest purchases from those who will use properties as holiday bases.

What the widening price gap means for locals and for the market

The data show a growing gulf between what foreign buyers pay and what local Spanish buyers pay: foreign buyers average €216,602 versus €137,437 for locals. That is significant in policy and planning terms:

• Local affordability pressure. Developers increasingly focus on projects that attract wealthier foreign buyers, which can squeeze supply of mid-market housing for local residents.
• Urban change and social effects. When inflows of higher-spending foreign buyers concentrate in coastal towns, local rental markets, shop services and year-round community composition can change.
• Political sensitivity. Local authorities in some areas have already debated measures to preserve affordable housing for residents. The gap makes such interventions more likely.

From an investor’s point of view this creates trade-offs. On the one hand, rising demand from affluent foreigners supports price growth and provides a thin-luxury niche with resilience. On the other hand, political or regulatory responses aimed at protecting local housing—such as incentives for affordable build, tourist rental restrictions or changes to planning—could alter the investment case for new developments concentrated on holiday use.

Segment-by-segment snapshot: who is buying what in Alicante

The notaries’ figures and market commentary point to a clear segmentation of the Alicante property market by nationality and purpose:

• Dutch buyers: Average spend €315,334. Predominantly new-build villas and properties in exclusive urbanisations intended for primary or semi-permanent occupation.
• Swiss buyers: Average €286,446. Tend to target high-quality apartments and villas in mid- to high-range developments.
• Norwegians: Average €276,110. Similar to Swiss patterns, with a preference for comfort and modern amenities.
• Belgians: Average €275,095. Active in mid to upper mid-range segments.
• French buyers: Average €236,655. A steady mid-market presence.
• British buyers: Average €230,623. Higher volume of smaller holiday apartments and “lock-up-and-leave” stock, particularly in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa.
• Buyers from Morocco and Algeria: Represent the lower end of the average spend spectrum; typically they buy older properties for family or work connections rather than new developments.

These differences matter when you decide which submarket to enter. Rental demand, occupancy patterns and yield prospects vary sharply between high-end villas aimed at long-stay residents and small holiday apartments aimed at seasonal tourists.

Practical implications: advice for buyers and investors

As a journalist who watches these markets, here is what I see as practical, experience-based guidance for buyers and investors considering property in Spain, and Alicante specifically:

• Understand buyer segmentation and your target tenant/buyer.