Living on the Costa Blanca: Climate, Costs & Healthcare
The Costa Blanca is the coastline of the province of Alicante, running from around Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, right on the border with the Región de Murcia. For decades it has drawn people from all over Europe: retirees, families, remote workers and second-home owners who end up staying longer each year. This guide gives an honest picture of everyday life, the good parts and the things worth knowing before you move.
> This is general information. Residency, insurance and tax rules change. For your own situation, speak to a Spanish lawyer (abogado) or tax adviser (asesor fiscal).
Climate: mild winters, hot summers
The weather is the headline. The Alicante area is often said to enjoy around 300 sunny days a year; treat that as a rough figure, but it captures the climate well. Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures commonly in the mid-to-high teens and frost rare on the coast. Summers are hot and humid, and air conditioning becomes essential in July and August. Rainfall is low, though autumn storms can be heavy.
One surprise for many Brits: Spanish homes are built for heat, not cold. Tiled floors and little insulation mean indoors can feel chilly on winter evenings, so a heat pump or other heating is worth having.
Cost of living, roughly
Costs vary with the town, your lifestyle and whether you live in a busy resort or a quieter inland village.
| Category | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Groceries | generally lower than in the UK; seasonal fruit and veg good value |
| Eating out | the lunchtime menú del día in local bars is still affordable; resorts cost more |
| Electricity | rises in summer with air conditioning |
| Fixed costs | community fees, IBI property tax, rubbish collection |
| Transport | a car is very useful outside the main towns |
Prices change every year, so the best approach is to spend a few weeks living there "on trial" and build your own budget. Purchase costs are covered in our guide to the costs of buying property in Spain.
Healthcare
Public healthcare
Spain's public health service has a good reputation. To use it as a resident you need an entitlement: working and paying social security in Spain, receiving a state pension from another country that covers you via an S1 form, or another legal route. In the Comunitat Valenciana you receive a SIP card and are assigned to a health centre (centro de salud) by address.
EHIC, GHIC and S1
- The EHIC (for EU citizens) and the UK GHIC cover temporary stays such as holidays. They are not a substitute for cover once you live in Spain.
- The S1 form allows many state pensioners, including UK state pensioners under the post-Brexit arrangements, to register for public healthcare in Spain. Check your eligibility with your home country's health authority before moving.
Private health insurance
Many residents take out private insurance, either as an extra or because it is required for residency when they have no public entitlement. For non-EU applicants it usually has to be comprehensive, with no co-payments. Compare cover and age limits.
Padrón, residency and tax
The padrón
The padrón is registration at the town hall (ayuntamiento) where you live. It is needed to enrol children in school, register with a health centre and for many local procedures. You apply with your ID and a rental contract or title deed.
Residency
- EU citizens staying longer than three months must register as EU residents (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE), usually proving income or savings and health cover.
- UK citizens who were not resident before the end of the Brexit transition period are now treated as non-EU nationals. Without a visa you are limited to 90 days in any 180 within the Schengen area. Common routes include the non-lucrative visa (living on pensions or savings) and the visa for international remote work ("digital nomad visa").
- The golden visa for property purchases was abolished in 2025, so buying a home no longer leads directly to residency.
In every case you will need an NIE; see our guide to the NIE number.
Tax residency
Spending more than 183 days a year in Spain, or having your main interests here, can make you Spanish tax resident, which changes how your worldwide income, including pensions, is taxed. Take advice before you move.
International communities
The Costa Blanca is truly international. There has been a large British community for decades, alongside many Germans, Dutch, Belgians and Scandinavians (Norwegians, Swedes, Danes and Finns). Polish and other Central and Eastern European communities have grown too. English is widely spoken in the main resort areas, and there are plenty of social groups, sports clubs and volunteer activities run by residents. Even so, learning some Spanish makes a big difference at the doctor's, the town hall and with neighbours.
Schools
Families can choose state schools (free, teaching in Spanish and, in this region, Valencian), state-funded private (concertado) and private schools, and international schools, many following the British curriculum. There are also schools offering German or Scandinavian programmes. Younger children usually adapt quickly; for teenagers, plan the educational path carefully.
Transport and airports
- Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC): one of Spain's busiest, with frequent flights to UK and Irish airports and across Europe.
- Región de Murcia International Airport (RMU) at Corvera: smaller, handy for the southern Costa Blanca and the Mar Menor.
- The AP-7 and A-7 motorways run along the coast.
- Alicante's TRAM runs towards Benidorm and further north.
- Commuter trains link Alicante, Elche and Murcia, with high-speed trains to Madrid.
Away from the larger towns public transport is thin, so most people rely on a car. If you become resident, look into exchanging your driving licence in good time.
Who suits the Costa Blanca?
People who want sunshine, the sea and a slower pace, without losing good flight links and services. The local job market leans heavily on tourism and services, so it suits retirees, remote workers and entrepreneurs best. If you plan to let your home while away, read our guide to holiday rentals; the full buying process is in our "buying step by step" guide.
Make the move with CasaAqui
CasaAqui Costa helps you find an apartment or villa on the Costa Blanca and in the Región de Murcia, and supports you with the practical side: NIE, bank account, notary and translations. Browse our properties at casaaqui.eu or message us on WhatsApp: +34 652 899 274.