Valencia is one of the largest cities in Spain, having the third biggest population after Madrid and Barcelona. Located on the shores of the purest Mediterranean Sea, the city, and simultaneously the capital of the namesake province, has a well-developed infrastructure, a convenient public transport system, and its own airport. Moreover, it is home to one of the largest ports in Spain and several marinas with yacht clubs.
The sea in Valencia is warm, and the beaches are sandy and wide. All this makes the city a popular place to buy property in Spain and move here for permanent residence. Unlike Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia is a quieter place, which is perfect for couples with children. Young people will appreciate the city’s central districts with traditional narrow streets, old houses, cosy restaurants, and trendy shops.
Content:
- Obtaining a visa
- Obtaining a residence permit and citizenship
- Selecting and purchasing real estate in Valencia
- Property selection and purchase
Obtaining a visa
The first step in relocating to Valencia will be obtaining a European visa. It can be of different types depending on the purpose of your stay (work, student, etc.). To obtain a visa, you must provide:
- a special application form;
- a medical certificate;
- a police clearance certificate;
- a bank statement or tax return;
- medical insurance;
- other documents (an employment contract, an acceptance letter from a university, etc.) depending on the type of visa.
For remote employees working for overseas companies or freelancers with a monthly income of €2,160, there is a separate type of visa in Spain—the digital nomad visa. It allows you to arrive in the country and immediately apply for a temporary residence permit.
To make the process of collecting and submitting paperwork easier, you can contact a specialised visa centre, where, for a fee, they will help you collect all the necessary papers and fill out the application correctly.
Obtaining a residence permit and citizenship
The second stage after obtaining a visa and arriving in Valencia is applying for a residence permit. In Spain, there are 2 options: temporary and permanent residency. Initially, you need a temporary residence permit valid for 1–2 years. There are several ways to become eligible, including:
- investment and purchase of real estate;
- having an income of €2,316 per month earned outside Spain and a bank deposit of €27,800;
- official employment;
- setting up a private business;
- family reunification;
- studying at a local university;
- refugee status.
A permanent residence permit is granted only after 5 years of holding a temporary residence permit and living in the country. The document allows you to live in Spain indefinitely and enjoy social benefits. You are not required to continuously reside in the country.
You can apply for citizenship 5 years after receiving permanent residency. The only exception are spouses of Spanish citizens. In this case, citizenship can be obtained after a year of living in the country with a temporary residence permit.
Selecting and purchasing real estate in Valencia
Purchasing real estate is one of the most popular ways to obtain a Spanish temporary residence permit. When purchasing a commercial property, an apartment, or a house worth €500,000 or more, you can apply for temporary residency for yourself and your family members. Such an investment not only provides an opportunity to relocate to a European country with a comfortable climate but also helps to save your money from inflation, since housing in resort towns in Spain is gradually increasing in price.
Popular districts to live in Valencia
- Ciutat Vella is the Old Town where the famous Valencia Cathedral is located, and the property mainly comprises secondary housing stock with traditional Spanish architecture. The houses here are very close to each other, forming narrow streets. The place is suitable for young people and those who like to hang out in the lively downtown and go to social events, exhibitions, performances, traditional markets, and handicraft shops. The cost of housing here is high.
- Eixample is a trendy district near the Old Town. There are many shops, restaurants, offices, and good schools. The cost of real estate here is above the city’s average.
- El Pla del Real is one of the greenest districts in Valencia. It is home to the large Viveros park. The real estate in the area includes high-quality apartments at above-average prices. The location has numerous shops, restaurants, 2 hospitals, 2 metro stations, and bus stops. You can drive to the sea in 15 minutes, and to the downtown, in 7 minutes.
- Quatre Carreres is a prestigious district where you can find modern development projects in Spain with quality apartments. It is home to Gulliver Park with a popular botanical garden and the famous architectural complex City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències). The cost of housing here is lower than in the neighbouring district of Eixample.
- Jesús is a district where you can find more affordable housing than in the locations listed above. Some neighbourhoods are inhabited by migrants, but the overall environment is safe.
- Poblats Marítims is a popular coastal district with affordable real estate. A big advantage is it being within walking distance from the sea. It also has an excellent public transport system with buses and metro.
- Rascanya is a district 10 minutes from the downtown and 20 minutes from the sea by car. There are many gated new developments with modern apartments in Spain. The area also has a shopping mall, a supermarket, a park, a sports complex with a stadium, and a metro station.
Property types in Valencia
Valencia’s real estate market offers a wide range of housing, including:
- modern developments with apartments and various public spaces in a gated area (a swimming pool, a gym, a terrace with a garden, etc.);
- gated villa and townhouse communities;
- detached villas in the old housing stock;
- apartments in old multi-storey buildings.
New residential developments are designed and built to high quality and safety standards, but such properties are often somewhat removed from the downtown core. The secondary housing stock may have not the most practical layouts and need some renovation, but be in the very centre of the city.
The minimum price of a 3-bedroom villa in a modern residential community in Valencia is €400,000. The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in a new apartment building starts at €150,000.
Property selection and purchase
The catalogue of our website contains listings of apartments, villas, and townhouses in various districts of Valencia. We collect offers from developers and real estate agencies so that you can easily find the optimal apartment or house in Spain. For a convenient search, set filters by property type, price, number of bedrooms, and many other parameters. By submitting a request in the contact form, you can consult with our specialist, who will help you quickly find suitable housing options for sale in Valencia and other cities of Spain.