A lot of British buyers assume living in Spain is cheaper than at home. Often it is, but not always. What it costs depends heavily on the region, the type of property and how you choose to live.
Prices below are in euros, because that is what you will actually be paying in.
Property prices #
Prices vary enormously by region. An apartment in Marbella or Ibiza sits in a completely different bracket from a similar place in a small coastal town or inland.
As a rough guide, prices per square metre in 2026 look like this. In the best-known areas such as the Costa del Sol and the Balearics, roughly €3,200 to €6,500 per m². On the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida, roughly €2,100 to €3,700 per m². Inland and in the less touristic regions, around €1,100 to €2,200 per m². In up-and-coming areas prices are often lower again, and that is frequently where the growth is.
CostaConnectUK tip: do not judge on price per square metre alone. Location, amenities and access are what ultimately hold a property’s value.
Everyday costs #
Day-to-day spending is generally lower than in the UK, particularly on eating out, local produce and services.
As a guide for 2026: a loaf of bread around €1.20 and a litre of milk around €1.00. A bottle of wine between €4.50 and €7. A coffee on a terrace between €1.60 and €2.50, and a three-course menu del día in a local restaurant between €13 and €20. Local markets are worth using for vegetables, fruit and fish, especially in coastal towns.
Getting around #
Driving is generally cheaper than in the UK, though it varies by region. As a guide for 2026: petrol runs around €1.65 to €1.80 per litre, and tolls between €5 and €35 depending on the route. A bus fare starts at about €1.60. The rail network is good in most regions, particularly around the larger cities.
Utilities and fixed costs #
Energy and internet are in line with the rest of southern Europe and depend mostly on how much you use and how big the property is. For a two-person household, expect monthly electricity of around €80 to €130, water around €25 to €40, and fibre internet around €30 to €55. Electricity climbs in summer once the air conditioning is running.
Local taxes #
As an owner you pay a few local taxes. The main one is IBI, the annual property tax, usually somewhere between €250 and €900 a year for an average apartment.
There is also a refuse charge, typically €120 to €200 a year. Exact amounts vary by municipality.
If you own an apartment or a property on a development, add the community fee (comunidad), which covers the pool, gardens, lifts and communal areas. This is not a local tax but it is a fixed monthly cost, and it varies a lot depending on the facilities.
Your lifestyle is the biggest variable #
The largest factor in your monthly outgoings is usually how you live. Eating out regularly, playing golf and travelling around Spain all add up quickly. Equally, you can live comfortably in much of Spain on a fairly modest budget, particularly away from the tourist hotspots.
In short #
For most British buyers, day-to-day life in Spain works out somewhat cheaper than at home, especially on food, hospitality and services. The purchase of the property remains the big number, and that varies enormously by region and type.
Build a realistic budget before you start, covering not just the purchase price but the fixed costs, the taxes and your everyday spending. Then you know where you stand.
Last reviewed 2026-08-24
Want this checked against your own situation?
A 20 minute call with a specialist in the region you are looking at, at no cost to you.