The short answer
Yes, British citizens can move to Torrevieja in 2026, but since Brexit you need the right visa and Spanish residency paperwork. Torrevieja has a large British community — over 30,000 non-Spanish residents — and is around 44 km from Alicante Airport. Expect property prices from €1,000 to €1,800 per m².
Updated 2 November 2026
Yes. British citizens can move to Torrevieja in 2026, but after Brexit the move starts with a visa and Spanish residency paperwork, not just a flight. The mistake to avoid is leaving the visa until after you have committed to removals or somewhere to live. Plan the paperwork first:
- Choose your visa route and start the application before committing to removals.
- Book removals once your visa is approved.
Torrevieja sits on the Costa Blanca about 44 km from Alicante Airport, between the salt lagoons of Las Salinas de Torrevieja. It has 20 km of coastline and six sandy beaches, five with Blue Flag status, and roughly 300 days of sunshine a year. The population is about 82,842, with more than 30,000 non-Spanish residents. British expats form a large part of that community, alongside Germans and Scandinavians.
Life is busy all year, with tourism, festivals and the International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition. July and August are the hottest months, averaging around 30°C; winters are short and cool. Property prices run from €1,000 to €1,800 per m².
If you move as a resident and hold a UK driving licence, exchange it or take a Spanish test within six months of becoming resident. The UK agreement in place since 2023 allows direct exchange without a test.
People also ask
›Do British citizens need a visa to move to Torrevieja?
Yes. Since Brexit, British citizens need a visa and Spanish residency paperwork to live in Torrevieja. The move is possible in 2026, but the process is more complex than before.
›How far is Torrevieja from Alicante Airport?
About 44 km. Torrevieja sits on the Costa Blanca between the salt lagoons of Las Salinas de Torrevieja, with Guardamar del Segura and La Zenia to the south.
›How many British expats live in Torrevieja?
Torrevieja has about 82,842 residents, and more than 30,000 are non-Spanish nationals. The British community is large, with German and Scandinavian expats also well represented.
›What are property prices in Torrevieja?
Property prices run from €1,000 to €1,800 per m². Torrevieja has a busy holiday and expat property market.