A sea-view terrace in Moraira, a golf flat near Villamartin or a new villa in Murcia can still be yours. Can UK citizens buy property in Costa Blanca after Brexit? Yes, without doubt. Brexit changed the immigration rules for British nationals, but it did not prevent them from buying, owning, selling or renting out Spanish property.
The difference is that UK buyers are now treated as non-EU nationals. That adds a few practical steps around time spent in Spain, finance and tax planning, but a well-managed purchase remains straightforward. The key is to separate the right to buy a home from the right to live in Spain full-time – they are not the same thing.
Can UK citizens buy property in Costa Blanca after Brexit?
British citizens can buy property anywhere in Costa Blanca, whether they want a lock-up-and-leave holiday flat, a townhouse near the beach, a golf property, an off-plan home or a substantial villa. There is no requirement to be Spanish resident, and buying through a Spanish company is not necessary for most personal purchasers.
You will need an NIE number, which is your Spanish foreigner identification and tax number. It is required for the purchase deed, taxes, utilities, bank account arrangements and many other official transactions. It should be arranged early, not just before completion, as appointment availability can vary.
You will also normally need a Spanish bank account. It makes it easier to pay reservation funds, purchase taxes, community charges, insurance, utilities and ongoing property costs. Your bank will request identification and evidence of where your funds came from, reflecting Spain’s anti-money-laundering checks.
Buying a property does not grant residency. A British owner can generally use their Costa Blanca home within the Schengen 90-days-in-any-180-days allowance, unless they hold a Spanish residence permit or another valid long-stay status. This is often enough for holiday-home owners, but it needs proper planning for anyone hoping to spend every winter in Spain.
Buying a home versus living in Spain
For many buyers, the post-Brexit position is simpler than it first appears. If your plan is several holidays a year, occasional remote working where permitted, or regular short stays, ownership and the 90/180-day rule may work well. Keep a careful record of travel dates, particularly if you also visit other Schengen countries.
If you want Spain to be your main home, investigate residency before committing to a move. The non-lucrative visa may suit people with sufficient passive income or savings who do not need to work in Spain. The digital nomad route can be relevant to qualifying remote workers, while family-based or work-based residence routes may apply in other circumstances.
Do not rely on outdated information about property-led residency. Spain ended its golden visa programme in 2025, so buying a home – whatever the price – no longer creates an automatic route to a residence permit. Property can still form part of a wider lifestyle and financial plan, but immigration advice should be considered separately from the purchase.
What does a Costa Blanca purchase cost?
The purchase price is only one part of the budget. In the Valencian Community, which includes much of Costa Blanca North and Costa Blanca South, transfer tax on an established home is commonly 10% of the declared purchase value. For a new build, buyers generally pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty. Stamp duty rates vary by region, so a home in the Murcia region may have a different calculation.
Allow for notary, Land Registry and legal fees as well. A sensible working allowance is often around 12% to 14% above the agreed price, although the correct figure depends on the property type, its location, the tax treatment and whether you require finance. Your independent lawyer should provide a written estimate before you sign a binding contract.
There are also the costs of ownership to consider: annual local council tax known as IBI, community fees for homes within an urbanisation or block of flats, buildings insurance, utilities and maintenance. Non-resident owners can also have Spanish tax obligations, even where the property is for personal use only. If you rent the property, rental income must be declared in Spain and may also need reporting in the UK, with double-taxation rules considered properly.
Mortgages for UK buyers after Brexit
Spanish mortgages remain available to UK citizens, although lenders usually assess non-resident applicants more cautiously than Spanish residents. A typical non-resident mortgage may cover around 60% to 70% of the lender’s valuation, not necessarily the agreed sale price. Buyers should therefore expect to contribute a substantial deposit plus the taxes and purchase costs from their own funds.
Lenders will review income, existing commitments, credit history, tax returns, bank statements and the source of deposit funds. A mortgage in euros can make sense when the property and its costs are euro-denominated, but UK buyers whose income is in pounds must account for exchange-rate movement. A rate that looks affordable when an offer is accepted can feel very different after a sharp currency change.
Mortgage approval should be treated as a condition to manage, rather than an assumption. Obtain an early assessment of borrowing capacity, then match your search to a comfortable overall budget. This avoids losing a preferred property after a reservation has been paid.
The buying process: where expert checks matter
Once you have found the right property, the process usually begins with a reservation agreement and a holding payment. This takes the home off the market while your lawyer carries out checks and the sale terms are prepared. Never view a reservation as a casual formality. Read the document, understand whether and when the payment is refundable, and know what happens if finance or legal checks reveal a problem.
The next stage is commonly a private purchase contract, often called an arras contract, followed by completion at the notary. At completion, the public deed is signed, the balance is paid and ownership is recorded for registration. The sequence can vary, especially for a new build or off-plan purchase, but the principle stays the same: legal due diligence comes before a binding commitment wherever possible.
Your lawyer should verify ownership, charges against the property, planning position, licences, community debts, cadastral information and whether the property description matches what is being sold. For a new build, they should also check the developer’s documentation, building licence, completion timetable, quality specification and the bank guarantees protecting stage payments.
This is one reason buyers should not make decisions on photos, views and price alone. A lower asking price can be attractive, but it may reflect factors such as an unusual legal position, high community charges, restricted rental prospects or a location that does not suit your intended use. Costa Blanca is not one market. Javea, Altea, Calpe, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Ciudad Quesada and the Murcia golf areas each attract different buyers and operate at different price points.
Choosing the right area and property type
Start with how you will use the home. A couple wanting weekend breaks may prioritise airport access, a manageable terrace and year-round amenities. A relocating family may need schools, healthcare, parking and everyday services before beach distance. Investors will look closely at permitted rental demand, seasonal patterns, community rules and running costs.
Costa Blanca North is often chosen for its coves, established coastal towns, hillsides and premium villa market. Costa Blanca South offers a broad choice of beach communities, golf areas and lower-maintenance homes, while Murcia can provide excellent value, spacious developments and convenient access to both coast and airport connections. None is automatically better – the right choice depends on budget, lifestyle and how frequently you expect to use the property.
Viewing in person remains valuable. Visit at different times of day, test the journey to supermarkets and the beach, and ask about summer parking, winter occupancy and planned local development. A home that feels perfect during a sunny two-hour viewing should also work for your actual routine.
Make the purchase work for your life, not just this season
Brexit has made preparation more valuable, not property ownership impossible. Put your travel plans, residency position, cash budget, mortgage options and tax responsibilities on the table at the start. Then focus your search on homes that genuinely fit how you intend to live, holiday or invest.
Fiesta Properties can help you compare suitable opportunities across Costa Blanca and Murcia, coordinate the practical steps and move quickly when the right home appears. Send your requirements with your preferred area, budget, property type and timescale, and make your Spanish purchase a considered decision rather than a rushed one. Contact us now on https://fiestaproperties.com/contact-us/