Where are the cheapest places to buy a property in Spain?

British expats have been moving to Spain for years, and haven´t been put off by Brexit. In 2003, 129,782 people from the UK lived in Spain. Twenty years later this has more than doubled, with 284,037 now reported to live there.

With its pleasant climate, cheaper property and cost of living than the UK, Spain seduces the British for many reasons – a better quality of life for families, retirement in the sun, investment property for seasonal rentals, working remotely… Spain offers properties to suit even the tightest budgets.

Many families move to Spain to give their children space and freedom and the chance to grow up in a different culture. With property being cheaper in Spain you’re more likely to get a house with a larger garden than in the UK. For example, the average cost of a house in the suburbs in Spain is €2,082/m2 compared to €3,697m2 in the UK.

In addition, children get the chance to grow up bi-lingual, with public education being taught in Spanish. It’s important to remember that some regions, such as the Valencian Community teach in the local dialect (here Valenciano) and Castilian Spanish is a second language. Alternatively, there are many international schools in Spain that offer the British curriculum with Spanish as an additional subject.

People also move to Spain for the wide open spaces, the varied countryside and the open air lifestyle. The variety of coastlines have been a popular tourist destination for many years, but many people also choose to live inland, among the mountainous scenery and valleys.

With so many opportunities for outdoor sports such as hiking, cycling and the popular padel tennis, Spain is perfect if you want to keep fit.

Whether you retire early or wait until retirement age, what better way to spend your days than in sunny Spain? There’s plenty to keep you busy, from watersports and discovering stunning natural landscapes to drinking sangria** and enjoying tapas with new friends.

With the cost of living being so much cheaper than in the UK, your pension will go much further. Spain is currently 25% cheaper than the UK, which includes eating out, utility bills and clothing.

If you’re not ready to retire to Spain full-time you could buy a property and use it for seasonal rentals. This means you could make an income and live there for part of the year (taking into account the 90-day Brexit rule), before you finally retire. See the Spanish Tax Agency website to calculate potential income from rental property.

Now a way of life, remote working in Spain is a popular option for the self-employed and also employees whose companies allow them to work abroad. The Digital Nomad visa means you can work legally in Spain providing you meet certain criteria.

Imagine waking up to a sea view, opening your laptop and spending the morning working before an afternoon on the beach. There are also plenty of coworking spaces in the larger towns, so you’ll always have somewhere to set up your mobile office and connect to the Internet.

Are you planning to buy a property in Spain? Whether you want to be near international schools, healthcare facilities, the beach, mountains and countryside or a lively city, picking the right location is important.

To help you make the right decision we’ve compiled a list of the cheapest areas to move to in Spain and what they offer.

Property prices in Spain are slowly increasing and this is expected to continue. The Spanish economy is stable and foreign buyers continue to move to Spain, which is pushing prices up.

However, property is still affordable, especially outside the main tourist areas.

The table below gives a summary of locations where property prices are less than the national average for August 2024 by region (Comunidades Autonomas).

Each of these regions has its benefits for expats wishing to move to Spain, from facilities that cater to families or retirees to isolated village retreats.

The islands of Mallorca and Menorca are a dream destination for many and are more affordable than you may think. With a mix of natural beauty, sandy bays and timeless tranquillity, buying away from the tourist locations will offer you more property for your money. Ibiza is also part of the Balearics, known for its lively lifestyle but also home to wild and dramatic scenery.

Located in the cooler north, Navarre has one of the highest standards of living in the world, according to the GINI index produced by the National Institute of Statistics. Close to the Pyrenees, Navarre is the perfect location if you enjoy hiking, cycling and getting close to nature.

With lush countryside, cooler weather than the south and plenty of tiny villages to choose from, Cantabria offers an idyllic lifestyle. Access to the Santander and Bilbao ferry ports makes travelling to the UK with your car a bonus, especially if you have pets.

If you want a simple way of life choose Aragon. With snow in the winter in Teruel (and a ski resort), Aragon offers a selection of rural properties. Less popular with expats, this region is ideal if you want to integrate into Spanish life.

The home of flamenco and fiestas, and with the longest coastline in Spain, Andalusia is home to Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Head inland and you’ll find properties in traditional whitewashed villages, where time seems to stand still.

Outside of Valencia city, there are many villages and towns inland offering affordable property for sale. You can live in a scenic valley or at the foot of a mountain and reach the coast within 30 minutes. Many expats have made Valencia their home, as it offers a combination of traditional Spain and modern amenities.

Galicia has a maritime influence – perfect if you love seafood. You can drive inland through picturesque landscapes without seeing a soul, or head to the beaches that are much less busy in the summer than those of the south.

This region is still relatively undiscovered by expats and offers lakes and mountains as part of its stunning landscape. If you want to move to an unspoiled area of Spain and be part of local traditions Castilla y Leon is the ideal choice.

With a combination of rugged coastline and mountain scenery, Asturias has a mild climate and is steeped in history. If you’re looking for a combination of nature, peaceful living and delicious local cuisine (and the famous Sidra) consider Asturias.

Off the north coast of Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy year-round sunshine and reasonable property prices outside of the resorts. The main islands are Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria and are popular with watersports lovers as it can be windy.

Located on the south coast and less popular for tourists than the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, Murcia is an undiscovered region for UK property buyers. With its modern airport and easy access to Alicante airport (1 hour away), Murcia is a location to consider if you want to travel to the UK regularly.

There is so much to explore outside of the Spanish tourist resorts and big cities. If you’re looking for cheap property in Spain, iad Overseas can help. We have access to a wide selection of properties all over Spain which could be your dream destination.

** Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.