Several important changes have taken place in the Alicante province real estate market. Although figures remain at historically high levels, in the second quarter of this year the number of residential properties purchased by foreigners fell by 9.4%. This may mean that the post-pandemic boom in this segment has already reached its peak.
Overall, in Q2 2025 foreigners bought 7,875 residential properties in the province, compared with 8,697 in the same period last year (–9.4%). Taking this figure into account, the total number of transactions registered in the first half of the year amounted to 15,305 (–4.5%). This trend strengthened in the following months, although the province still leads Spain: it accounts for 20.4% of all purchase-and-sale deals involving foreigners registered in the country.
The British have lost the top spot on the Costa Blanca
In addition, the drop in sales volume is accompanied by the consolidation of changes among the most active foreign buyers. For the second quarter in a row, the British are not the leaders in the number of purchase-and-sale transactions on the Costa Blanca, which can be considered an unprecedented case. According to the latest data from the Notarial Chamber of the Valencian Community, the Dutch now rank first, pulling further ahead of the previous leaders each quarter.
Transaction values rise amid higher prices
The total value of these transactions has even increased, as price growth more than offsets the reduction in the number of properties sold. In particular, while the total value of transactions registered from January to June 2024 amounted to €2.985 billion, in the first half of this year it exceeded €3.3 billion.
The average price of housing purchased by foreigners over this period reached €218,574—18% more than a year ago. For comparison, for Spanish buyers this figure is €143,160.
Country dynamics: who is buying less and who is buying more
As for country dynamics, the most significant development is undoubtedly the loss of weight among British clients, who carried out almost 5,000 transactions in 2018 and ended last year with 3,594 (almost 30% fewer). This decline continued in 2025, when British nationals bought 1,684 residential properties on the Costa Blanca (–7.3%).
In addition to possible Brexit consequences, the sector links this situation to the poor economic conditions in the UK. Nor should the price increases seen in many of their favorite areas of Alicante province be overlooked—especially given that British clients generally belong to the middle and lower classes and have lower purchasing power than most clients from other European countries.
However, it should be noted that it is not only the British who have concluded fewer purchase-and-sale transactions:
- Belgian buyers: 1,397 transactions (–9.1%);
- French buyers: 626 (–12.3%);
- Germans: 1,000 (–1%);
- Swedes: 725 (–0.9%).
Even more noticeable is the decrease in the number of Ukrainians, Poles, and citizens of other Eastern European countries, which initially surged sharply as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, they still hold leading positions among foreign clients in Alicante’s real estate market. In particular, Poles rank fourth (1,224, –22%), while Ukrainians purchased 780 properties (–7%).
The same is happening with Russians, who remained quite active on the Costa Blanca despite sanctions introduced in response to the invasion of Ukraine. From January to June 2025 they purchased 360 residential properties (–28%).
Among foreigners who bought more homes than last year, citizens of Algeria (434, +24%), Ireland (470, +2.3%), and Romania (515 homes, +11.2%) stand out. However, the most significant growth is among Dutch buyers, who have ranked first for two quarters in a row in terms of home purchases on the Costa Blanca, acquiring a total of 1,879 properties (+18%).
Why Dutch interest in Alicante is growing
Interestingly, real estate sector representatives attribute this rise in purchases in Alicante province to restrictions that many cities and the Dutch government are introducing to curb prices amid a severe housing crisis in the Netherlands. These measures concern buying homes as second residences or for investment, prompting many Dutch investors to put their money into Spain.
The shortage of new housing persists
Despite the decline in the number of purchase-and-sale transactions, Alicante developers show no signs of concern. Demand from European citizens still significantly exceeds the supply of new housing, and the shortage continues to grow.
Read more about buying property as a foreigner and the key stages of the deal in the “Buying property in Spain” section, and view current listings in the Alicante property catalogue. If you are planning a подбор property selection based on your criteria, use the “Property search in Spain” service.
