Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm and Valencia compared: prices, the reported cut in Valencian transfer tax, rental rules and what Russian-speaking buyers should prepare.
The Costa Blanca, the coast of the province of Alicante, and the city of Valencia further north are the two places in the Valencian Community that foreign buyers search for most. They are cheaper than Barcelona, Madrid or Marbella, they have large international communities, and they are well served by airports. This guide compares Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm and Valencia, gives the price level, explains the transfer tax and the reported cut, and covers rental rules. Figures are as of October 2026 and are indicative.
The main places compared
- Torrevieja and the southern coast. The classic entry-level market: many apartments and bungalows in resort developments, a large foreign community and services in several languages. Good for buyers with a modest budget who want sun and a lower price. Check the building, the community fees and, in new schemes, the builder's guarantees.
- Alicante city. A working city with a port, a university, an old quarter and city beaches. Our price article puts used homes at about €2,909 per m², and regional news reports put gross yield near 7.8%, though we could not confirm the method behind that figure.
- Benidorm. A high-rise resort with a very large visitor base all year. Apartments are small and plentiful; a good fit for holiday use and sometimes for long-term lets, with strict building rules on tourist use.
- Valencia city. The third-largest city in Spain, with a port, the City of Arts and Sciences and beaches. Used-home prices rose about 9.9% in a year; we could not confirm a reliable per-m² figure, and our yield article reports gross yield near 6.3%. It behaves like a real city market, not a resort one.
- Villages inland and on the northern Costa Blanca (Jávea, Dénia, Altea, Calpe). Smaller, more expensive per m², popular with northern Europeans.
For a wider comparison see best areas to buy in Spain.
Getting there
Alicante-Elche airport serves the whole Costa Blanca, and many low-cost and scheduled flights connect it with Poland, Germany, the Baltic states and other EU cities. Valencia has its own airport, and Murcia-Corvera is an option for Torrevieja. Timetables change by season, so check current schedules before choosing an area by flight time.
Prices and the transfer tax
Prices in Spain are rising, with the INE index up 12.2% year on year in the second quarter of 2026; see property prices and buying costs in Spain. The national share of foreign buyers was about 16% in that quarter (summary).
On a resale the transfer tax (ITP) is set by the region. Until recently the general Valencian rate was 10%. Reports from regional sources say that from 1 June 2026 it was cut to 9% for properties below €1,000,000, with 11% from €1,000,000 upwards. We could not confirm the text in the official gazette, so treat 9% as the reported rate and confirm the current one with your lawyer before you calculate a budget. Reduced rates for first homes, young buyers or large families usually do not apply to non-residents buying a second home.
On a new home from a developer you pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty (AJD) of about 1-1.5% instead of ITP. For an illustration only: a €200,000 resale apartment at the reported 9% would carry €18,000 of ITP, plus about €3,500 of notary, registry and legal costs, roughly €21,500 or about 11% in total. If the rate is still 10%, the tax is €20,000. Compare new and used in new-build vs resale in Spain and check the file with the resale checklist.
Rental: tourist and long-term
Tourist rental in the Valencian Community needs a registration, and city rules matter. In Valencia city, press and official sources report that new tourist licences were suspended from May 2024 and that a stricter model followed in 2026, allowing new tourist flats only on the ground or first floor with their own street entrance. A court challenge to the suspension was also reported, so the position has been moving. Do not assume that an existing flat can be let to tourists, and do not assume a licence passes to you. Ask for the registration number and have a lawyer check it.
On the Costa Blanca the rules differ by town. Benidorm, Torrevieja and Alicante each have their own planning limits and community statutes, and the community of owners can block tourist use. The state-level picture is in short-term rental rules in Spain.
Long-term letting is the safer base case. Yields on this coast look higher than in Madrid or Barcelona on paper, but vacancy, community fees and tax reduce them; see rental yield in Spain. Non-resident owners pay Spanish income tax on rent; read capital gains tax on sale in Spain for the exit side.
For Russian-speaking buyers and expats
Alicante province, especially Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca towns, has a large Russian-speaking community, and Valencia city has a growing one. You will find agents, lawyers, gestorías and doctors who work in Russian, which makes the process easier. Even so, sign only a contract you can read in a translation, and use an independent lawyer, not the seller's.
- Documents. An NIE tax number before signing (NIE and tax numbers), a passport and, for foreign documents, an apostille and a sworn translation. Documents from Russia and the CIS have extra steps; ask early.
- Bank. A Spanish account is useful for taxes and utilities. Spanish banks ask for the source of funds and may check Russian and Belarusian customers more closely; prepare payslips, sale contracts or tax returns. See bank checks for Russian citizens living in the EU.
- Community and services. Use Russian-speaking communities and services by country and the general guide for Russian-speaking expats buying abroad.
- Citizenship. Citizenship alone is not a bar, but sanctions rules apply to listed persons; see buying property abroad with Russian citizenship.
FAQ
Is the Costa Blanca cheaper than the Costa del Sol? Generally yes at entry level, especially around Torrevieja, but prices differ a lot by town and building; compare actual sales.
What is the transfer tax in the Valencian Community? It was 10% on resale, and a cut to 9% below €1,000,000 was reported from 1 June 2026. Confirm the current rate.
Can I let a Valencia flat to tourists? Not automatically. New licences have been suspended and then restricted; check the registration and the local rules before buying.
Which airport is best? Alicante-Elche for the Costa Blanca, Valencia for the city, Murcia-Corvera for Torrevieja; compare current flights from your city.
Do I need to be resident to buy? No, but you need an NIE number and a documented payment trail.
How we help
We are a trilingual platform that finds properties in Spain and coordinates independent local lawyers and tax advisers. We help you compare towns, build the all-in budget and check the paperwork. You can browse listings in Spain and use our calculators. This text is informational and is not legal, tax or investment advice; rules change, so verify the current rates and local rules with a Spanish lawyer and with the Valencian official gazette at dogv.gva.es.