Moving Guide to Alicante & Costa Blanca

Why Alicante?

Alicante province and the Costa Blanca are home to one of Europe's largest expat communities. With 320+ days of sunshine per year, international airports (ALC Alicante-Elche, VLC Valencia), excellent healthcare, affordable cost of living (30-50% lower than London or Amsterdam) and a rich Mediterranean lifestyle, it's no surprise that over 90,000 British nationals alone are registered as residents in the Comunitat Valenciana.

Step 1: Before you leave

• NIE number: required for almost everything in Spain — buying property, opening a bank account, signing contracts. Apply at the Spanish consulate in your home country or in Spain. See our NIE & Residency Help page for recommended specialists.
• Healthcare: register for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC for UK nationals) and consider private health insurance for the transition period. See Private Health Insurance.
• Finances: open a Spanish bank account (Sabadell, CaixaBank, BBVA accept non-residents), notify your home bank. Get a financial advisor for cross-border tax planning.
• Schools: if you have children, research international schools and British schools (applications open 12-18 months ahead for popular schools).

Step 2: The move

• Removals: international removal companies typically take 5-10 working days UK-Spain. Get 3 quotes and check insurance cover. See Removal Companies.
• Relocation services: a full-service relocation agent can handle property search, school enrollment, utility connections and administrative paperwork.
• Pets: EU Pet Passport (microchip + rabies vaccination 21 days before travel). Post-Brexit UK pets need an Animal Health Certificate from an official vet.

Step 3: First weeks in Alicante

• Empadronamiento: register at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) within 3 months. This is mandatory and proves your residency for tax and public services.
• Residency: EU citizens apply for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión at the police station (Extranjería). Non-EU citizens (including post-Brexit UK nationals) need a visa and TIE card. Budget 4-8 weeks for processing.
• Utilities: electricity (Iberdrola, Endesa), water (Aguas de Alicante), internet (Movistar, Orange, MásMóvil). Typical setup takes 1-2 weeks.
• Driving: EU licences valid, but exchange recommended after 2 years. UK licences need formal exchange (gestoria handles this). See Sworn Translators for certified document translation.

Step 4: Settling in

• Tax obligations: if you're tax-resident in Spain (183+ days/year) you must declare worldwide income. UK state pension, rental income and investments are all taxable. See Tax Advisors for Expats.
• Property purchase: budget 10-13% on top of purchase price for taxes and fees (ITP 10% for resale, IVA 10% for new-build, plus notary, registro and legal fees). See Luxury Estate Agents and Property Lawyers.
• Community: join expat groups — Alicante Expats on Facebook (12,000+ members), Costa Blanca Forum, InterNations Alicante. Local integration classes and language exchanges are free at many town halls.

Useful links

• Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• UK Government — Living in Spain
• Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Office)
• Spanish Social Security

Need help with your move? Browse our Moving category or get in touch to be connected with a specialist.