Buying a beachfront flat in Spain from abroad

Contenido

1. What can you buy by the sea in Spain?
2. Sea-view and seafront flats
3. Where: the Costa de Azahar, between Tarragona and Valencia
4. The first step: your NIE and a bank account in Spain
5. Taxes: what a non-resident buyer pays
6. Financing from abroad
7. How to get there to view it, and then to live there
8. Start with what’s available
9. Frequently asked questions from overseas buyers

Every year, buyers who do not live in Spain arrive on the coast of Castellón. They come from Poland, Romania, France or Germany, and almost all of them start off with the same questions: is it possible, what paperwork is required, and how much does it actually cost?

It is possible, and the process is fairly well-trodden. There are three specific differences compared to a Spanish buyer: a tax identification number, the method of financing, and the logistics of travelling here to view the property. Here’s what you need to be clear about before taking the first step.

What can you buy by the sea in Spain?

There are no restrictions based on nationality. A foreigner, whether a resident or not, can buy a property in Spain under the same conditions as a Spanish national. No prior permission or residence permit is required, and the property is registered in your name in the Land Registry just like any other.

What you should decide early on, however, is the type of property. New-build properties bought directly from the developer and second-hand properties differ in terms of timelines, guarantees and tax implications. With new-build properties, you benefit from construction guarantees, the option to choose finishes if the property is not yet complete, and the tax treatment applicable to a first sale.

Sea-view and seafront flats

There is a subtle distinction here that is often overlooked in property searches but makes a real difference to both the price and day-to-day living. A flat with sea views may be several streets away from the beach. A beachfront flat has the promenade and the sand right in front of it, with nothing that can be built in between.

The difference is particularly noticeable outside the summer months. In a beachfront flat, you can go for a walk in January, open the window and hear the sound of the sea, and the property is easier to let should you ever decide to do so. If you’re planning to spend long periods there, it’s worth seeing it in person before making a decision.

Where: the Costa de Azahar, between Tarragona and Valencia

The stretch of coastline in the province of Castellón is called the Costa de Azahar. It stretches for over 139 kilometres between Vinaròs and Almenara, within the Valencian Community, with Tarragona to the north and Valencia to the south. Many buyers from further afield look for it as the ‘Valencia coast’, as that’s the name they’re familiar with, but in reality it’s the neighbouring coast.

It’s the peaceful alternative to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol: the same Mediterranean Sea, the same climate, far fewer crowds and even lower prices. You can take your time to discover what the Costa de Azahar is like and what it has to offer, as well as the new-build developments we have in Oropesa del Mar and Cabanes.

The first step: your NIE and a bank account in Spain

To buy in your own name, you’ll need a NIE, the Foreigner’s Identity Number. This is the tax identification number you’ll use to sign at the notary’s office, pay your taxes and register for utilities. You can apply for it at a police station in Spain or at the Spanish consulate in the country where you live.

The next practical step is to open a bank account in Spain. Whilst not compulsory for the purchase, it greatly simplifies the subsequent processes: payments to the developer, taxes, the owners’ association, and electricity and water bills.

If you are unable to come to sign the documents in person, this can be resolved by granting a power of attorney to someone you trust. This is common practice and avoids having to coordinate a trip with a notary appointment.

Taxes: what a non-resident buyer pays

The taxes on the purchase do not depend on your nationality, but on what you are buying. New-build and second-hand properties are taxed differently, and the rate varies depending on the autonomous community, so you’ll need to check the exact figure for your specific case at the time of signing.

What you should be aware of is that buying directly from the developer and buying from a private individual result in different final costs. We explain this in detail in our guide on how property tax affects foreign buyers and what changes when buying from a developer.

Financing from abroad

Spanish banks do grant mortgages to non-residents, but under different conditions to those for residents: they usually require a larger deposit and ask for documentation from the country where you pay tax. The sooner you enquire, the fewer surprises there’ll be at the end.

The other option is to buy without a Spanish mortgage, using financing from your home country or your own savings. With new-build properties, moreover, payments are spread out over the construction period, which significantly alters your financial planning. This is covered in detail in ‘What you need to know to finance your beachfront flat’.

How to get there to view it, and then to live there

This matters more than it seems. A property that’s difficult to reach is only used for two weeks a year; one with good transport links is actually lived in. Castellón Airport is just a few minutes from this stretch of coast and will operate 16 direct routes to various European cities by 2026.

In other words: you land, get in the car, and within half an hour you’re opening the front door. No stopovers and no two-hour motorway drive after your flight. You can find the routes, timetables and access details in the Castellón Airport guide.

You can also take a look before you decide anything. We have a fully finished and furnished show flat, which is the quickest way to get a feel for what it’s like to live in one of these flats.

Start with what’s available

Once the formalities are clear, all that’s left is to choose. Our new-build developments include the blocks we have in Oropesa del Mar and Cabanes, with details of the construction progress, the different property types and what’s already finished and ready to move into.

If you’d prefer us to explain it to you and answer any questions you may have, please get in touch. We can assist you in your language.

Frequently asked questions from overseas buyers