How to Move to Spain in 2025 — Visas, Buying Safely & Costa Blanca Life

How to Move to Spain in 2025: A Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers

Moving to Spain is a dream for many — sunny weather, a slower Mediterranean rhythm, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, and access to high‑quality healthcare at reasonable prices. Before you pack your bags, it’s essential to understand visas, the property‑buying process, costs, and how to choose the right area. This guide focuses on Spain’s Costa Blanca — especially Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja — with clear steps for a safe, stress‑free move.

1. Why Move to Spain?

Spain offers more than 300 days of sunshine per year, modern infrastructure, and an open, international community. Families find bilingual and international schools, retirees enjoy mild winters and excellent healthcare, and remote professionals benefit from strong internet and easy travel connections. Daily life can be delightfully simple: shop local markets for seafood, fruits and vegetables, take evening seaside walks, and slow down to a healthier pace.

2. Visa Options for 2025

Spain offers several residence paths, depending on your situation:

• Non‑Lucrative Visa — for retirees or those with passive income.

• Digital Nomad Visa — for remote professionals working online.

• Golden Visa — for investors purchasing property from €500,000.

• Startup/Entrepreneur Visa — for innovative business projects.

• Student Visa — for long‑term education.

Basic requirements usually include proof of funds, private health insurance valid in Spain, clean criminal record, and standard medical/forms. Processing times and details vary by consulate, so plan ahead.

3. Buying Property in Spain — Step by Step (Buyer‑First)

Buying a home is a popular route for long‑term living — but the Spanish process differs from many countries. A smart path prioritises your lifestyle and safety first:

1. Define lifestyle & area shortlist — e.g., Costa Blanca South (Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja, Villamartín) or even compare with Costa del Sol at a high level.

2. Work with a dedicated buyer’s agent — your representative who searches the whole market, shortlists properties, and provides price insight.

3. View properties (in person or via secure virtual tours) and choose your favourite. Ask for an initial price analysis.

4. Hire an independent lawyer — they perform due diligence (debts, charges, licenses), draft/verify contracts, handle tax payments and utility changes.

5. Sign a reservation/arras contract — usually €3,000–€10,000 — to fix the purchase price and timeline.

6. After your lawyer completes legal checks, sign the deed (Escritura) before a notary; your lawyer typically handles the surrounding bureaucracy and registrations.

💡 Pro Tip: Always negotiate. A buyer’s agent protects your interests and often achieves a better final price than the listing suggests.

4. Cost of Living — What to Expect

Compared with Northern Europe, everyday expenses in Spain are typically lower. As a rough guide for a couple:

• Rent (2-bed apartment): €600–€1,000

• Utilities: €100–€150

• Groceries: €300–€400

• Restaurants & cafés: €100–€200 (Menu del Día €13–17, buffet €17–23, breakfast €8, coffee €1.5–3)

• Private healthcare: €60–€100 per person — public healthcare is free for many residence categories

• Transportation/car: €150–€300 depending on whether you rent or own a car

• Internet & mobile: €40–€50 for home Wi-Fi and two mobile lines

  
  

Between €1,400 and €2,300 per month for a couple living comfortably on the Costa Blanca.

A realistic monthly budget for a relaxed yet comfortable lifestyle — including rent, groceries, dining out, healthcare, transport, and internet — is around €1,700–€1,900.

💡 Pro Tip: Always check whether you’re eligible to join Spain’s public healthcare system — or if you can use healthcare benefits from your home country while living in Spain.

5. Best Areas to Live — Focus on Costa Blanca

Costa Blanca stretches from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, offering over 200 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, charming towns, and a microclimate with more than 320 sunny days a year.

From vibrant cities to peaceful seaside villages, every area has its own personality — here are some of the most desirable places to live:

• Orihuela Costa — green, modern, and close to beaches and golf resorts. It includes popular neighbourhoods like Villamartín, La Zenia, Cabo Roig and Playa Flamenca, all with strong expat communities and full-year life.

• Torrevieja — lively and international, known for its pink salt lakes (Las Salinas), seafront promenade, and vibrant local market. Offers a wide range of prices and a strong rental market.

• Villamartín & La Zenia — family-friendly areas with golf courses, restaurants, and shopping. Ideal for those who want comfort, community, and modern living within 10 minutes of the sea.

• Guardamar del Segura — famous for its long natural beaches and pine dunes. A calm, authentic coastal town that remains lively even in winter — perfect for those seeking a slower rhythm.

• Santa Pola — an authentic fishing town with great seafood, a daily fish market, and ferry connections to Tabarca Island — Spain’s only inhabited island in the Mediterranean.

• Alicante City — the capital of the province and gateway to the Costa Blanca. Combines beach life with urban comfort: a marina, the castle of Santa Bárbara, boutique shops, and international schools.

• Benidorm — often called “the Manhattan of the Mediterranean.” A vertical city with high-rises by the beach, vibrant nightlife, and two famous beaches — Levante and Poniente. Ideal for those who want city energy and sea views all year round.

• Altea — a charming whitewashed town with cobbled streets, artist studios, and panoramic sea views. Loved for its authenticity and Mediterranean atmosphere.

• Calpe — known for the iconic Peñón de Ifach rock, golden beaches, and a mix of modern living with small-town charm. Great for hiking, water sports, and seaside dining.

• Jávea (Xàbia) — one of the most scenic and upmarket areas on the Costa Blanca, offering turquoise bays, fine dining, and elegant villas surrounded by nature.

• Cartagena — technically just south of Costa Blanca, in the Region of Murcia, but often considered part of the same coastal lifestyle. A historic port city full of Roman heritage, colourful architecture, and authenticity — ideal for culture lovers looking for tranquillity.

💡 Pro Tip: Visit during different seasons — some towns are lively all year, while others are more seasonal. The right area depends on your lifestyle — whether you prefer peace and space or a vibrant, social community by the sea.

Working with a personal buyer’s agent can help you identify the best location for your family and preferred lifestyle. 👉🏻 Contact us in WhatsApp or book a call

6. Life for Families and Retirees

Spain provides excellent public and private healthcare, safe communities and plenty of school options (including bilingual and international). Retirees appreciate accessible services and mild winters; families value parks, beaches and community life.

💡 Pro Tip: If moving with children, research bilingual/international schools early — places in coastal towns can be limited.

7. Move Smart — Not Fast

Relocating to Spain is life‑changing. With a buyer‑only partner and an independent lawyer, the process becomes transparent and efficient. Prime Home Match helps you shortlist properties, assess fair value, negotiate confidently and coordinate legal support.

💡 Pro Tip: Start with a short Discovery Call to align on lifestyle, budget and timing — it shapes a clear, data‑driven property search.

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💬 Send us your goals — we’ll analyse the market and find your perfect match under the Spanish sun.

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