Alicante · Costa Blanca · Valencian Community

English-Speaking Lawyers in Alicante
Property, Visas & Wills for Costa Blanca Expats

Independent legal representation for international buyers, residents and families across Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Benidorm, Dénia and the wider Costa Blanca. Property due diligence, Spanish wills, visa applications, non-resident tax and inheritance — all in plain English, fixed fees, named specialist.

Bar-Registered Solicitors
🇬🇧Fluent English-Speaking Team
Fixed Fees, No Surprises
💻Work With Us Online
★★★★★Trusted by Costa Blanca Expats
Fixed
Fees agreed in writing up front
100%
English-speaking legal team
Online
Work with us from anywhere
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Legal Help in Alicante

Modern legal support for the Costa Blanca's international community

Alicante is the legal and administrative heart of the Costa Blanca, and one of the single largest expat regions in Spain. More British nationals live in Alicante province than in any other province in the country, alongside major Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Belgian and Irish communities — plus a fast-growing American and Canadian contingent attracted by the climate, value and Digital Nomad Visa route.

Platinum Legal Spain was built for this kind of international client base. We work with buyers, sellers, residents and families across Alicante city, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, La Zenia, Pilar de la Horadada, Guardamar, Santa Pola, El Campello, Alfaz del Pi, Altea, Benidorm, Calpe, Moraira and Dénia — advising on property purchases, Spanish wills, inheritance, tax residency, the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, and every piece of paperwork in between.

Everything is handled in English. Fees are fixed and agreed in writing up front. Most of our work is delivered online through secure video consultations and our encrypted document portal, meaning you can instruct us from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany or Scandinavia — and we'll have everything prepared before you arrive.

Services Available in Alicante

Full-service English-speaking legal support across Alicante & the Costa Blanca

Whether you're buying a townhouse in Orihuela Costa, a villa in Moraira, an apartment in central Alicante, preparing a Spanish will, applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, or dealing with non-resident tax on a Torrevieja rental — our team covers every legal matter Costa Blanca expats face, end to end.

Property Law

Property Purchases & Conveyancing in Alicante

Independent legal representation for buyers across Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, Dénia and Moraira. Full title, debt, planning and tax due diligence, NIE, contracts and notary completion.

Property Legal Service
Buying & Selling

Selling Property on the Costa Blanca

Transactional support for sellers — Nota Simple, capital gains planning, Modelo 210 non-resident withholding, Plusvalía and contract drafting. Fixed fees, fast turnarounds, full English reporting.

Selling Service
Wills & Inheritance

Spanish Wills & Valencian Inheritance

Bilingual Spanish wills for Costa Blanca asset-holders, probate administration, and Valencian inheritance tax planning — including the regional 99% bonification for spouses, children and parents.

Wills & Inheritance
Non-Lucrative Visa

NLV for Retirees Moving to the Costa Blanca

Non-Lucrative Visa applications for retirees and financially independent clients moving to Alicante or the wider Costa Blanca. Portal-based application, document review, consulate coordination. Fixed fee €1,499.

NLV Service
Digital Nomad Visa

DNV for Remote Workers in Alicante

Digital Nomad Visa for remote employees and self-employed contractors relocating to Alicante. Portal-based application, Beckham Law eligibility assessment, named immigration specialist. Fixed fee €1,899.

DNV Service
Tax & Fiscal

Non-Resident & Resident Tax Advice

Modelo 210 for non-resident property owners, rental income tax on Costa Blanca holiday lets, capital gains, Beckham Law for inbound professionals, UK/US/Ireland double-tax treaty coordination.

Tax & Fiscal Advice
NIE · TIE · Admin

NIE, TIE, Empadronamiento & Certificates

NIE, TIE, empadronamiento, digital certificate, apostilles and sworn translations (capped at €200) — handled end-to-end so you don't lose days at the Alicante or Torrevieja extranjería offices.

NIE & Admin
Business & Corporate

Company Formation & Autónomo Setup

SL company formation, autónomo registration, commercial contracts, and Valencian-region business licences. For investors, entrepreneurs, hospitality owners and DNV-linked freelancers.

Business Services
Family Law

Family, Divorce & Cross-Border Matters

Spanish divorce, cross-border custody, pre-nuptials, family reunification and international family law for expats living across Alicante and the Costa Blanca.

Family Law Service
Alicante Legal Landscape

What makes Costa Blanca legal cases different

Alicante and the wider Costa Blanca have specific legal and tax rules that affect almost every expat case — from urbanisation compliance on off-plan developments to Valencian inheritance tax bonifications. Here are the four issues that come up most often.

1. Off-Plan, New-Build & Urbanisation Risks

The southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, La Marina, Ciudad Quesada) and the northern Costa Blanca (Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe) both have very active new-build and resale markets — and each has its own historic planning issues that a proper due diligence process will catch.

  • Stage payments on off-plan Costa Blanca purchases must be protected by bank guarantee or insurance under Law 38/1999 — deposits without this protection can be lost if the developer fails to complete.
  • LRAU / LUV historical urbanisation issues still affect certain inland Alicante properties — buyers need a check against the municipal planning register before committing.
  • AFO / DAFO (out-of-plan rural properties) are very common inland — these can be legalised but must be handled correctly or they can block mortgage, sale and inheritance.
  • First Occupation Licence, boundary and plot-area checks should always be carried out before you sign a reservation contract — particularly in Orihuela Costa and the rural areas around Dénia and Jávea.

2. Valencian Inheritance Tax — the 99% Bonification

Inheritance tax in Spain is set partly by national law and partly by each autonomous community. The Valencian Community — which covers Alicante province, Valencia and Castellón — introduced one of the most generous regional inheritance regimes in Spain in 2023, putting Alicante broadly in line with Andalusia for direct-family estates.

  • The Valencian Community applies a 99% inheritance tax bonification for Group I and Group II beneficiaries — spouses, children, parents and direct descendants — meaning direct-family inheritances of Alicante property typically pay very little Spanish inheritance tax.
  • The same 99% bonification applies to inter vivos gifts between these family members, which opens up useful lifetime-planning options for Costa Blanca estates.
  • Without a Spanish will covering your Costa Blanca assets, Spanish probate takes longer and is more expensive — a bilingual Spanish will is the standard advice.
  • EU Regulation 650/2012 lets you elect your national succession law, but the tax is still calculated under Spanish / Valencian rules — cross-border planning matters, especially for larger estates.

3. Non-Resident Tax on Costa Blanca Property

Most foreign owners on the Costa Blanca are non-tax-residents of Spain — but they still have annual Spanish filing obligations on the property itself. These are widely missed, and the Agencia Tributaria does eventually catch up, particularly on short-let and holiday rental properties in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Benidorm and Dénia.

  • Modelo 210 is due annually on non-resident ownership of Spanish property, whether it's rented out or not.
  • Rental income from Costa Blanca properties is taxed in Spain first — 19% for EU/EEA residents, 24% for non-EU (including post-Brexit UK and US owners), with no deductible expenses for non-EU residents.
  • Capital gains on sale are withheld at 3% by the buyer and settled via Modelo 210; the final CGT rate is 19% on the gain for non-residents.
  • Plusvalía (municipal capital gains) is charged separately by each Costa Blanca ayuntamiento and depends on how long you've owned the property.

4. Holiday Rental Licences & the Valencian Regime

Holiday letting (Vivienda de Uso Turístico, VUT) in the Valencian Community is tightly regulated. Alicante city and many Costa Blanca towns have introduced restrictions on new tourist licences — and investors buying specifically for short-let income need to check licensability before completing.

  • Every legal holiday rental in the Valencian Community must be registered with the regional tourism register and display its VT registration number.
  • Several Costa Blanca municipalities have paused or restricted new licences — notably in parts of Alicante city, Benidorm and parts of Dénia; legal due diligence must cover licence availability, not just the property itself.
  • Community-of-owners rules in many Costa Blanca urbanisations now restrict short-let activity — buyers should review statutes before signing.
  • Holiday rental income is taxed as Spanish-source income under Modelo 210 (non-residents) or IRPF (residents) with specific VAT and invoicing rules depending on how the rental is run.
How We Work in Alicante

Modern, online-first legal service — from anywhere to the Costa Blanca

You don't need to be in Alicante to instruct us. Most cases are handled entirely online — secure video consultations, encrypted document uploads, and a named bilingual specialist from day one.

1

Book Your Consultation

Book a free 20-minute call. We'll confirm your situation, the service you need in Alicante or on the Costa Blanca, and give you a fixed fee in writing — before any work begins.

2

We Handle the Spanish Side

Your named specialist takes over — due diligence, notary, land registry, tax office, consulate, community of owners, town hall. You stay in the loop through the secure portal.

3

Completion & Aftercare

Whether it's signing at the notary, submitting a visa, or registering a Spanish will, we take it through completion — and stay available for follow-up Costa Blanca legal matters.

Built Differently

A modern Spanish law firm — built for Costa Blanca expats

Traditional Costa Blanca law firms were not designed for international clients. Slow replies, legal jargon, surprise invoices and no visibility over the process — it's an experience most Alicante expats have had at least once with a local firm or a well-meaning gestoría.

Platinum Legal Spain was built to fix that specifically. Every element of the service — from fees to document handling to communication — is structured for the way international clients actually live and work today.

  • English from first contact — no translation delays, no legalese.
  • Fixed fees agreed up front — written scope before we start.
  • A named specialist on your case — not a revolving door of paralegals.
  • Secure online portal — upload, track and sign from anywhere.
  • Remote-first service — most Costa Blanca cases run without travel.
Learn More About Us
Client Reviews

What clients say about Platinum Legal Spain

5.0 ★★★★★ Based on Google Reviews
★★★★★
"I bought an apartment in Spain through Vibe Real Estate. During the purchase, I hired PLS to monitor all legal and contractual agreements. Great help — everything handled professionally and clearly."
Mario GrecoProperty Purchase
★★★★★
"Magnificent service. Great professionals. Attentive to solve any setback that may occur. Totally recommended."
Joserra MartinezGoogle Review
★★★★★
"We asked PLS to help us with the purchase of our new home in Spain. Several legal issues arose and the team at PLS were instantly on the ball. Their attention to detail and constant updating of information cannot be faulted."
Michael ShrubsoleProperty Purchase
Read All Reviews
Working With Us From Alicante

Online-first service — coastal offices close to you

We handle most Alicante and Costa Blanca cases online, with coastal offices in Murcia, Torrevieja and Valencia. If an in-person meeting is useful, we can arrange one in Alicante by appointment.

How We Work With Alicante Clients

Almost every legal matter on the Costa Blanca can be handled without either side travelling. When a notary signing is required, we coordinate with a notary in Alicante, Torrevieja or your local town and brief them fully on the matter in advance.

  • Free 20-minute consultation over video call
  • Fixed fee quoted in writing before any work starts
  • Secure online portal for documents and case updates
  • Named bilingual specialist from day one
  • Notary coordination across Alicante, Torrevieja, Dénia or your local town
  • Power of attorney option — we handle everything on your behalf
Book a Consultation
Also Serving

Legal help across the Costa Blanca

We work with expat clients right across Alicante province and the Costa Blanca. Browse our location pages for the town or area most relevant to you.

Alicante FAQs

Frequently asked questions — legal help in Alicante

Do I need an independent lawyer when buying property on the Costa Blanca?
Yes. On the Costa Blanca, the estate agent and the developer's lawyer act for the seller — not you. Independent legal representation means your lawyer runs title, debt, planning and tax due diligence, reviews the reservation and private purchase contract (contrato de arras), organises your NIE, coordinates mortgage and tax payments, checks urbanisation and AFO/DAFO status, and represents you at the notary. For the vast majority of Costa Blanca purchases — particularly in Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja and the inland rural areas — the lawyer typically saves the buyer more than they cost.
How much does a lawyer cost for buying property in Alicante?
Standard legal fees for a Costa Blanca property purchase are typically 1% of the purchase price plus VAT, or a fixed fee agreed in writing before work begins — we quote fixed fees where possible. On top of legal fees, buyers should budget roughly 10–13% of the purchase price to cover transfer tax (ITP), notary, land registry, NIE and bank costs. We confirm the exact budget in your free 20-minute consultation.
Can I instruct you remotely if I'm still in the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada?
Yes — this is how most of our Alicante and Costa Blanca clients instruct us. Consultations run over secure video, documents move through our encrypted portal, and we can act under a limited Spanish power of attorney so you don't need to travel for signings unless you want to. We regularly close Costa Blanca property purchases for clients who only arrive on the day of handover.
How does Valencian inheritance tax work for Costa Blanca property?
The Valencian Community — covering Alicante province — applies a 99% inheritance tax bonification for spouses, children, parents and direct descendants (Group I and II beneficiaries). In most direct-family Costa Blanca inheritance cases, the actual Spanish inheritance tax payable is very small, provided the estate is correctly declared within the six-month window. Distant relatives and non-family beneficiaries face significantly higher effective rates and need advance planning.
Do I need a Spanish will if I already have a will in my home country?
In most cases, yes. A bilingual Spanish will covering your Costa Blanca property makes probate far faster, cheaper and less stressful for your family. Under EU Regulation 650/2012 you can still elect your national succession law, but Spanish inheritance tax is calculated under Valencian rules regardless. A Spanish will plus a properly structured estate plan is the standard advice we give Costa Blanca property owners.
Can I apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa to retire in Alicante?
Yes — the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the standard route for retirees and financially independent non-EU clients relocating to Alicante or the Costa Blanca. Applicants need to show passive income or savings above the IPREM threshold (around €28,800/year for the main applicant, plus a supplement per dependent), private Spanish health insurance and a clean criminal record. We handle NLV applications through our secure visa portal for a fixed fee of €1,499.
Can I move to Alicante on the Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) allows remote workers and employees of non-Spanish companies to live in Alicante while continuing to work for their overseas employer or clients. Eligibility is based on remote working, a minimum income threshold and professional qualifications. Many Alicante DNV clients also apply for the Beckham Law tax regime. We handle DNV applications through our portal for a fixed fee of €1,899.
Are Costa Blanca holiday rentals legal, and do I need a licence?
Short-term holiday rentals (Vivienda de Uso Turístico) in the Valencian Community are legal but tightly regulated. Every property let to tourists must be registered in the regional tourism register and must display a VT licence number in its listing. Several Alicante and Costa Blanca municipalities have restricted or paused new licences, so legal advice on licensability should ideally come before you commit to a purchase intended for short lets.

Speak to an Alicante legal specialist today

Whether you're buying in Orihuela Costa, preparing a Spanish will, applying for the DNV or handling a non-resident tax issue in Torrevieja — book your free 20-minute consultation and get a fixed fee in writing before any work begins.