Apartments in Torrevieja

Buying an Apartment in Torrevieja in 2026: Types, Areas, Prices, and Process

An apartment in Torrevieja is, in the vast majority of cases, affordable housing on the resale market in typical Mediterranean residences built in the 1990s-2010s. Few new builds are constructed in the city, represented by point projects in the form of residential complexes with gated communities. In 2026, about 90% of sales are existing properties (vivienda usada), often requiring cosmetic or partial renovation. Apartments are sold predominantly unfurnished (sin amueblar), with standard finishes being walls ready for painting, a basic bathroom, and a kitchen unit. Typical square footages are: studios (30-40 m²), one-bedroom apartments (45-60 m²), and two-bedroom apartments (65-85 m²). The city's popularity for purchase is due to the unique combination of the lowest prices on the coast in Spain, a consistently warm climate, and proximity to Alicante Airport (ALC), making flights within Europe affordable and frequent.

Prices and Profitability: What Income Does an Apartment in Torrevieja Generate?

The starting price for an apartment in Torrevieja in 2026 begins at €85,000 for a studio in acceptable condition. A liquid one-bedroom apartment will cost €115,000 – €135,000, a two-bedroom apartment €150,000 – €190,000. Gross rental yield (rentabilidad bruta) for long-term rental is estimated at 4-5% per annum for one-bedroom options and 3.5-4.5% for two-bedroom ones. The key factor for liquidity and profitability is distance from the sea. The most in-demand listings are within walking distance, up to 700 meters from the coastline. Buying a new build (obra nueva) increases the initial investment by 20-30% but can provide a higher energy efficiency rating (A-B) and modern comfort standards.

Areas and Liquidity: Where to Buy to Rent Out or Live

The liquidity of an apartment in Torrevieja directly depends on the area. For guaranteed rental income, choose the city center: the Playa del Cura and Playa de los Locos areas. Here, cafes, shops, and main beaches are concentrated, and rental demand is consistently high year-round. For quiet permanent residence (PR), retirees and families choose La Mata and Punta Prima — these are greener and more spacious areas with less dense development. The Centro Urbano area (city center inland from the promenade) offers the most affordable options but often in older buildings without elevators. Apartments in the Los Balcones area and near the salt lakes (Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja) are valued for their quietness and specific microclimate.

Purchase Process for Non-Residents: From Selection to Keys

The procedure for buying an apartment in Torrevieja for a foreigner is standard for Spain. After selecting a property and agreeing on a price, the verification phase (fase de due diligence) begins. The buyer or their lawyer requests a document package from the seller: 1) Nota Simple (an up-to-date property registry report on ownership and encumbrances), 2) Certificado de deudas de la comunidad (official certificate of no community debts), 3) Cédula de Habitabilidad (valid technical passport for the dwelling), 4) Certificado de Eficiencia Energética (mandatory energy performance certificate, typically class E or D). Next, a preliminary contract (Contrato privado de compraventa or Contrato de arras) is signed with a deposit payment (usually 10%). The final step is signing the public deed of sale (Escritura Pública de Compraventa) before a notary with simultaneous payment of the Property Transfer Tax (ITP/Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales), which in Valencia is 10% of the declared transaction value for resale properties.

Rental and Residency Status: Practical Outcomes of the Purchase

Owning an apartment in Torrevieja does not grant an automatic right of residence. After the cancellation of the real estate 'Golden Visa', the main options remain: 1) Residencia no lucrativa (non-lucrative residence visa) — requires proof of stable income from abroad, and owning property is a significant advantage. 2) Visado de nómada digital (digital nomad visa) — also requires proof of income from remote work for companies outside Spain. The apartment can be rented out long-term (alquiler a largo plazo), notifying the tax agency (Agencia Tributaria) and paying tax on the income (19% for non-residents). Short-term tourist rental requires a complex and costly procedure to obtain a Vivienda de Uso Turístico (VUT) license and is often unprofitable for a single apartment. Thus, the purchase is either a basis for legalizing one's stay or a source of modest but stable passive income.