The Costa Blanca runs roughly 200 kilometres of coastline between Dénia in the north and Pilar de la Horadada at the Murcian border. That stretch covers several distinct property markets: prices, buyer profiles and property types vary considerably between the northern zone (Benidorm, Finestrat, Altea) and the southern zone (Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja, Pilar de la Horadada). The five projects below illustrate both segments.
What to budget beyond the asking price
New-build properties in Spain attract VAT (IVA) at 10% of the purchase price. On top of that comes stamp duty (AJD), generally between 0.5% and 1.5% depending on the autonomous community — for Valencia, the applicable rate should be confirmed with a locally registered notary or lawyer. Notary and land-registry fees typically add another 1% to 1.5%. As a working estimate, allow 12% to 14% on top of the asking price for a new-build in the Valencian Community or the Region of Murcia.
A NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is required before signing at the notary. It can be obtained at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence or in person in Spain. The reservation contract (contrato de arras or contrato privado de compraventa) binds both parties and precedes the notarial deed. For off-plan purchases, staged payments are governed by Ley 57/1968 or its successor provisions: deposits must be backed by a bank guarantee or insurance policy.
La Marina Beach — Finestrat
Finestrat is an inland municipality situated around 4 kilometres from the seafront at Cala de Finestrat and 50 kilometres from Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC). La Marina Beach offers ground-floor apartments and 2-bedroom penthouses with a communal pool, priced between €360,000 and €530,000.
The €170,000 spread between the entry-level unit and the top of the range most likely reflects the difference between a standard apartment and a penthouse with a larger terrace, although exact floor areas are not available in the project data. The Finestrat area draws a notable number of Dutch and British buyers who want proximity to Benidorm without being in the resort itself.
Three projects in Pilar de la Horadada
Pilar de la Horadada is the southernmost municipality in the province of Alicante, around 60 kilometres south of Alicante-Elche and approximately 20 kilometres from Murcia-Corvera Airport (RMU). The new-build market there is active, driven by sustained demand from Nordic and Belgian buyers.
Vista Azul XXXVIII Lo Monte Selection Apartamentos
This development offers 3-bedroom apartments and penthouses with a communal pool, priced between €299,900 and €399,900. The €100,000 gap between the two price levels points to different configurations and floor positions within the same scheme.
Vista Azul XXXIV Lo Romero Golf
Also in Pilar de la Horadada, this project sits within or immediately adjacent to Lo Romero Golf, an 18-hole public course. The units are 3-bedroom bungalows with a pool, priced from €284,900 to €299,900 — the lowest range across the five projects reviewed here. A spread of under €15,000 between the cheapest and most expensive unit suggests a fairly uniform set of configurations.
Pura Vida V Bungalows
Still in Pilar de la Horadada, Pura Vida V Bungalows offers 3-bedroom bungalows at a fixed price of €459,000. The absence of a price range indicates either a single configuration or a scheme that is well advanced in its sales process. No communal pool is mentioned in the available project data.
Villa Valentina — Ciudad Quesada
Ciudad Quesada is a residential urbanisation within the municipality of Rojales, in the comarca of Vega Baja del Segura, around 45 kilometres south-east of Alicante. The area is established for detached residential properties and has a developed commercial offering built around an expatriate population.
Villa Valentina is the only detached villa in this selection, priced at €979,501. With 3 bedrooms, it targets a different buyer profile from the apartments and bungalows above: the value here lies in privacy, the plot and individual construction rather than raw floor area. No private pool is mentioned in the project data.
Key checks common to all five projects
For off-plan or under-construction properties, buyers should verify that the building permit (licencia de obras) has been granted by the local town hall, and confirm the projected completion date along with any contractual penalties for delay. At handover, the first-occupation licence (licencia de primera ocupación) must be in place before utilities can be connected and legal residence established.
Non-resident taxpayers in Spain are liable for non-resident income tax (IRNR) on any rental income, or on imputed income if the property remains unoccupied. The applicable rate depends on the buyer's country of residence and whether a double-taxation treaty with Spain is in force — independent tax advice is recommended before making any contractual commitment.
