Introduction
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a holiday home in Spain, you’re not alone, sun-soaked beaches, vibrant culture, excellent food, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle make Spain one of Europe’s most popular destinations for second homes. At Movehappy, we believe owning a holiday home in Spain can enrich your life, provide investment potential, and offer a private retreat whenever you need rest and rejuvenation. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know, from where to buy, what type of property suits you, legal and financial considerations, and how we help you make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Why Buy a Holiday Home in Spain?
Before diving into the “how,” it helps to understand why it’s a good idea.
Lifestyle & Accessibility
Spain is well connected to the UK and much of Northern Europe. Short-haul flights make frequent visits realistic, weekend getaways or extended stays. When you own a holiday home in Spain, you don’t rely on hotels or rentals; you have your own place to call “home away from home.” Movehappy specialises in areas like the Costa Blanca and the Costa Calida, where travel is easy, amenities are good, and lifestyle is relaxed.
Cost Savings Over Time
Frequent holidays add up, flights, hotels, restaurant bills. Owning your own holiday home can reduce these recurring costs, especially if you use it regularly. When you compare cumulative holiday costs over many years, owning often comes out ahead.
Potential Rental Income
Many owners rent out their holiday home in Spain when they’re not using it, either as holiday lets or longer-term rentals.
Enjoyment with Friends & Family
A holiday home gives flexibility: friends and family can visit you, use the home themselves during your downtime. It becomes a gathering place rather than just a rented space. It builds memories.
Strong Property Options & Value
There’s huge variety in Spanish property, from new builds to resale apartments and villas. We also offer incentives (for example our Movehappy Package, which can save you up to €18,000 on new builds).
Where to Buy a Holiday Home in Spain: Regions & Locations
The region you choose matters a lot. Climate, lifestyle, proximity to airports, amenities, community, cost, and potential for resale/rental all vary.
Costa Blanca (Alicante Province)
Popular, established, and offering many options: beach properties, golf resorts, good amenities, large expat communities. Movehappy has many properties “for sale in Spain” in Alicante, including apartments, villas, penthouses.
Costa Calida (Murcia Region)
Slightly quieter than some of the busier coastal areas, yet very accessible. Good value, excellent weather, growing infrastructure. Movehappy serves this region well.
Popular Local Areas
Examples include Verdemar (Villamartin), Torrevieja, La Zenia Boulevard, Campoamor, etc. These areas combine beaches, amenities, good transport links, shopping, restaurants and strong appeal for holiday home owners. Verdemar Villamartin is a case in point: proximity to multiple airports (Alicante, Murcia), varied property types (apartments, townhouses, villas), nice communal or private amenities like pools and gardens.
Types of Properties: What Suits You Best as a Holiday Home in Spain
Choosing what kind of property fits your needs depends on how often you’ll be there, what you expect in terms of maintenance, privacy, communal amenities, and your budget.
| Property Type | Pros | Things to Consider |
| Apartment / Penthouse | Usually lower maintenance; often in complexes with communal pools, gardens; security; easier to lock up when not in use. Ideal if visits are occasional. | Community / homeowners’ fees; less privacy; possibly no garden or private pool; exposure to neighbours. |
| Villa | More privacy; private garden/pool; more space; greater flexibility; possibly higher rental income when letting. | More upkeep; cost of maintenance; security when unoccupied; possibly higher property taxes or utilities. |
| Townhouse / Semi-Detached | Middle ground between apartment and villa; shared walls but more space; sometimes smaller garden; mixed communal amenities. | Shared responsibilities; potentially less privacy than a standalone villa; still more maintenance than an apartment. |
We help you assess which type matches your lifestyle, usage frequency, and budget when you’re buying a holiday home in Spain.
Legal, Financial & Practical Considerations
Owning a holiday home in Spain isn’t just about choosing where and what, there are legal, financial, logistical steps to be aware of. Being prepared means fewer surprises.
Purchase Process
- Finding & Viewing: Use a trusted agent; take viewing trips. We at Movehappy organise viewings and show you key ready properties, off-plan options, new builds.
- Negotiation & Offer: Once you find a property, making a formal offer, reserving it, checking contracts.
- Due Diligence & Checks: Ensuring that planning permissions are in order, checking the status of community fees, verifying property boundaries, ensuring there are no debts or legal burdens.
Taxes & Residency
- Property Taxes & Ongoing Costs: Local property taxes (IBI), utility bills, community fees, insurance. If renting out, you’ll have to declare rental income; non-resident tax obligations.
- Mortgages: Spanish mortgages are possible for non-residents. Terms, interest rates, deposit requirements vary. We can advise or connect you with mortgage services. Movehappy provides mortgage service support.
- Visas & Residency: Owning a property doesn’t automatically grant residency. Spain has various permits and visa options. If long stays are part of your plan, explore what’s required. Movehappy offers guidance in “Visas and Residence.”
Running Costs & Maintenance
- Upkeep: Garden care, pool maintenance, cleaning, general wear & tear.
- Community / HOA Fees: If your property is part of a development, apartment block or shared facility, these recurring fees can be substantial. Make sure you understand what is covered.
- Insurance & Utilities: Insurance (building, contents), electricity, water, internet, local services.
Financial & Saving Provision: Movehappy Package & Value Adds
When you buy a holiday home in Spain with us, we try to offer value beyond just picking properties.
Movehappy Package
One of our standout benefits is the Movehappy Package on new builds, you can save up to €18,000. These savings can include incentives, discounts, or other perks.
Aftercare & Support
Once you’ve bought the property, we continue to support you, with legal services, currency exchange, mortgage services if needed. We aim to make it easy to own a holiday home, even from abroad.
Transparency & Reputable Practices
We are API certified, fully registered, and members of AIPP. When you buy through Movehappy, you’re working with a trustworthy, regulated company.
How to Choose the Right Property for You
Every buyer is different. Here are some key questions and factors to work through, to make sure your holiday home in Spain becomes a delight, not a burden.
- How often and when will you use it?
If visits are frequent and year-round, you might want a property with more amenities, better insulation, perhaps even winter heating. If only summer, you may prioritise proximity to the sea, shade, outdoor amenities. - What’s your budget – up front and ongoing?
Don’t just think purchase price. Include taxes, fees, maintenance, travel costs. Make sure financing (mortgage or otherwise) is clear. - How much management do you want to do?
Some people love the hands-on caring for a villa, garden, etc. Others would prefer lock-and-leave. If the latter, an apartment or serviced development with aftercare may be better. - What amenities, locale and infrastructure matter?
Beaches, shopping, restaurants, healthcare, airports. Some areas are more remote; some are developed but busy. For example, Verdemar Villamartin offers excellent access to beaches and golf courses, plus shopping (e.g., La Zenia Boulevard). - Resale value & rental potential
Even if your main aim is holiday use, consider whether the area is attractive for buyers/renters. Good transport, strong tourism or expat communities, appealing scenery all help.
Step-by-Step: From Enquiry to Ownership
Here’s how the journey typically goes when owning a holiday home in Spain, especially with Movehappy by your side:
- Initial Research & Budgeting
Decide region(s), property type, cost ceiling, frequency of use. - Viewing Trip / Virtual Viewings
We arrange viewings (on site or virtual). Seeing in person helps with light, location, context. - Select Property & Reserve
Once you pick something, you usually put a reservation deposit to take it off the market. - Legal Checks & Paperwork
Contracts, title deeds, checking planning permissions, community fee status, ensuring everything is clear. We provide legal services to guide you. - Financing & Currency Exchange
If using a mortgage, securing it; also managing foreign currency if paying from abroad. We have a currency exchange service. - Completion & Ownership Transfer
Signing the final deeds, paying transfer taxes, notary fees, registering with town hall. - After-Sales Services
Setup utilities, community fees, insurance, cleaning, etc. If you plan to rent, we help with that. - Enjoying & Maintaining
Use it for holidays, host friends and family, possibly rent, ensure maintenance is done, monitor expenses vs usage.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Holiday Home in Spain
Here are practical tips to help ensure your purchase gives you joy, comfort, and value.
Stay informed: market trends, legal changes, community / local infrastructure improvements.
Visit outside peak season: gives you a feel for what life is like in quieter months.
Think about energy efficiency: heating, cooling, insulation. Though winters may be mild where you buy, having these sorted can save money.
Decor & furnishing: make it easy to lock up or leave, but comfortable enough for extended stays and rentals.
Final Thoughts
Owning a holiday home in Spain is more than just a property investment: it’s an investment in lifestyle, memories, flexibility, and possibility. While there are legal, financial, and practical considerations to work through, with good planning, professional help, and a reliable partner, you can make buying and owning a holiday home in Spain a wonderfully positive and satisfying experience.
If you’re ready to explore options, consider your budget, preferred region, and how often you’ll use the property, and then reach out. At Movehappy, we’re here for you every step of the way, from choosing the right location and property type, through legal and financial guidance, to ongoing support and rental management if needed. Let’s help you turn that dream of owning a holiday home in Spain into reality.
