European Communities in Costa Blanca South: Where Expats Choose to Live

One of the biggest concerns we hear from buyers isn't about property. It's about life after the purchase. 

Will I feel at home? Will I meet people? Is there already an international community?

The answer is yes.

Costa Blanca has spent decades becoming one of Europe's most established destinations for second-home owners and retirees. Today, more than 500,000 foreign residents live in Alicante Province, representing over 27% of the total population—the highest proportion of foreign residents of any province in Spain.

Over the past 20 years, we've helped buyers from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Scandinavia find homes across Costa Blanca South. One thing we've learned is that choosing the right community is often just as important as choosing the right property.

In this guide, we'll look at who lives here, where different European communities tend to settle, and why so many buyers decide to make Costa Blanca their second home.

Why Costa Blanca Is So Popular with European Buyers

The international community didn't appear overnight.

The international community on the Costa Blanca has grown steadily over several decades. Foreign residents accounted for just 5.5% of Alicante Province's population in 1988; today, they represent more than a quarter of all residents, with over 500,000 international residents calling the province home. This long-term growth reflects something more than a popular holiday destination—it shows that people choose to build a life here.

This long-term growth reflects something more than a popular holiday destination. Every year, thousands of Europeans choose the Costa Blanca not just for holidays, but for retirement, remote work or a second home where they can spend several months of the year.

If you'd like to learn more about what makes the region so attractive—from year-round infrastructure and property prices to lifestyle and healthcare—we cover it in our guide to owning a property in Costa Blanca.

The Largest European Communities in Costa Blanca

One of the reasons newcomers settle so quickly is that they're rarely starting from scratch.

Whether you prefer to socialise with people from your own country or simply appreciate having services available in your language, Costa Blanca South already has well-established international communities.

British Buyers: Established Coastal Communities

The British have been the single largest European nationality on the Costa Blanca for decades, with more than 70000 registered residents (15.2% of all foreigners in Alicante province). 

For many of our UK clients, that's reassuring. You're not moving somewhere where you'll have to figure everything out on your own. English-speaking doctors, solicitors, tradespeople and social clubs are easy to find, and there's already a well-established community of people who have made the same move.

At the same time, most buyers aren't looking to live in "a little Britain." They want to enjoy Spain while knowing that practical help is always close by when they need it.

British buyers are especially drawn to the southern Costa Blanca: 

• Punta Prima

• Playa Flamenca

• La Zenia

• Cabo Roig

• Torrevieja

• Rojales

What we've noticed: Many British buyers arrive convinced they want a detached villa, but after exploring different areas they often decide that being able to walk to the beach, cafés and restaurants is worth far more than having a large garden to maintain.

Belgian Buyers: A Long History on the Costa Blanca

Belgians have been choosing the Costa Blanca for decades, and their connection to the area runs deeper than many people realise. It's widely believed that Playa Flamenca takes its name from the Flemish developers who began building the area in the early 1970s. 

While the origin of the name isn't officially documented, this buyer group continue to be one of the most active international groups on the Costa Blanca today. According to the 2023 Statista report, Belgian buyers purchased over 4,400 properties in Alicante province.

Many of our Belgian clients are drawn to:

• Playa Flamenca

• Villamartín

• Orihuela Costa

Belgian-owned businesses, cafés and long-established social networks make these communities especially welcoming for newcomers.

What we've noticed: If you expect to travel between Belgium and Spain several times a year, don't underestimate the importance of easy access to Alicante Airport. Most of the popular areas in Costa Blanca South are less than an hour away, making weekend visits and longer stays much more convenient.

Dutch Buyers: Modern Homes and Golf Communities

Dutch buyers are becoming an increasingly important part of the Costa Blanca property market. 

In the last quarter of 2025 alone, they purchased 1,632 homes in Spain, making them the country's second most active foreign buyers after the British. They were also the only major buyer group to record growth both compared with the previous quarter (+15.2%) and the previous year (+10.5%). 

Many of those buyers choose Alicante province, particularly modern residential areas such as:

• Playa Flamenca

• Punta Prima

• La Zenia

• Villamartín

• Torrevieja

One thing we often recommend to Dutch buyers is to compare both new-build and resale properties before making a decision. While new developments offer the latest design and energy efficiency, well-kept resale homes in established communities can provide more mature surroundings, larger terraces and better value for money.

German Buyers: Quality Residential Living

German buyers continue to be one of the most active European groups on the Costa Blanca South. 

According to Idealista, users from Germany account for 10.6% of all foreign property searches in Alicante province, with many choosing well-established residential areas close to golf courses and the coast. 

Popular areas include:

• Villamartín

• Campoamor

• Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

One reason these areas appeal to German buyers is that they're well established, carefully maintained and offer excellent year-round infrastructure. German-speaking services—from estate agents and lawyers to healthcare providers—are also readily available, making the transition to life in Spain much easier.

What we've noticed: One thing we often recommend to our German clients is to look beyond the property itself and pay close attention to the residential community. Community fees, the quality of communal maintenance and the long-term management of the development can make a real difference to your day-to-day experience and the property's future resale value.

Scandinavian Buyers: Sunshine and Outdoor Living

Scandinavian buyers, particularly from Sweden and Norway. have one of the longest-standing presences of any European nationality in the Costa Blanca South, and in some communities their influence is especially pronounced. 

Swedish and Norwegian buyers remain consistently active on the Orihuela Costa, often choosing modern resale apartments close to the coast or golf. 

Popular locations include:

• Punta Prima

• Señorío de Punta Prima

• Playa Flamenca

Some residential communities have welcomed Scandinavian owners for several generations.

One piece of advice we often give Scandinavian buyers is not to underestimate the importance of a property's orientation. South-facing terraces, bright living spaces and generous outdoor areas can make a noticeable difference during the winter, when you'll naturally want to spend as much time outside as possible. That's one of the reasons penthouses and apartments with large terraces continue to be in such high demand among our Swedish and Norwegian clients.

Where Different European Communities Tend to Live

Can You Live in Costa Blanca Without Speaking Spanish?

This is another question we're asked almost every week.

The short answer is yes—particularly in Costa Blanca South.

In areas such as Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca and Villamartín, it's perfectly possible to manage everyday life using English. You'll also find professionals who speak Dutch, German, French and Scandinavian languages.

That said, we always encourage buyers to learn at least some Spanish over time. Even a basic knowledge of the language helps you integrate into the local community and enjoy everyday life even more.

Which Area Is Right for You?

Every community has its own character, and there's no single "best" place to buy. Some buyers want to be able to walk to the beach, cafés and shops, while others prefer a quieter residential setting or a home overlooking a golf course.

After helping European buyers for more than 20 years, we've found that the right area often matters even more than the property itself. It's not unusual for clients to arrive convinced they want one location, only to discover that another neighbourhood suits their lifestyle much better after a few viewings.

If you're still deciding where to focus your search, we've put together a detailed guide comparing the most popular areas in Costa Blanca South, including Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca, Villamartín, Las Colinas, Pilar de la Horadada, Mil Palmeras and San Pedro del Pinatar. It explains who each area is best suited to, what everyday life is like and the types of properties you'll find there.

To find out more, read our guide: Buying Property in Costa Blanca South: Best Areas Compared

Why Buyers Choose E-Style Spain

Buying property abroad is about far more than finding the right apartment or villa.

It's about choosing the right community, understanding how you'll live day to day, and feeling confident throughout the process.

For more than 20 years, we've helped buyers from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Scandinavia find homes across Costa Blanca South.

Our role isn't to persuade you to buy a particular property. It's to help you compare your options honestly, answer your questions and find a home that genuinely fits your lifestyle.

Ready to Start Your Property Search?

Whether you're still exploring different areas or already planning a viewing trip, our team at E-Style Spain is here to help.

Browse our latest properties in Costa Blanca South or get in touch with our team for personalised advice. We'd be delighted to help you find not just the right property—but the right place to call home.