So. You’ve had enough of drizzle, council tax, and the same three sandwiches in the same small café. You’re ready to trade it in for sun, olives, and a bit of peace. Javea’s calling. And it’s not whispering.
But before you sell the house, pack up your porcelain pigs, and head for the Costa Blanca, there are a few things you should know. Not the sales stuff. Not the dream-life-from-a-brochure nonsense. The real bits. The bits that matter when the tan wears off and the bins are late.
The Weather’s Lovely. Until It Isn’t.
Yes, Javea gets around 300 sunny days a year. No, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect all the time.
In summer, it’s hot. Not “warm cardigan” hot – more “why is my forehead melting” hot. August, in particular, is when locals and expats alike move from one air-conditioned space to the next like well-dressed bats.
In winter, it can be cold. The houses aren’t always built for it. Spanish builders, as a rule, are better at keeping heat out. So unless you’ve got decent insulation, you’ll be wrapping yourself in blankets wondering where your toes have gone.
The Bureaucracy is Alive and Well
Fancy retiring abroad? Better get used to paperwork. Spain runs on forms. And most of them come with three stamps, a strange rule, and a man called Pedro who’s only available between 10:00 and 10:17 on Tuesdays.
If you’re a UK citizen, post-Brexit, you’ll need to sort out a residence visa. There’s the Non-Lucrative Visa, which basically means you can live here as long as you promise not to work or be a financial burden. Fair enough.
You’ll also need:
- Proof of income
- Private health insurance (with no gaps)
- A police check
- Patience
Once here, there’s more. NIE numbers. TIE cards. Padron certificates. If you don’t know what those are yet, don’t worry. You will.
Yes, It’s Slower
This is a good thing. Until it isn’t.
You move here for the slower pace. The long lunches. The quiet mornings. The lack of noise unless it’s a fiesta and someone’s set fire to a papier-mâché bull.
But slow also means:
- Builders arrive tomorrow. Or the next day. Or never.
- Banks close when you need them most.
- You may need five visits to complete one simple task.
If you’ve got a British sense of urgency, you’ll need to leave it at Alicante airport.
The Healthcare’s Good. If You Plan Ahead.
Spain’s public healthcare system is decent. But as a retiree, you won’t qualify for it straight away unless you’re on the right paperwork and registered properly.
Most retirees take out private health insurance to meet visa requirements. Prices vary based on age and conditions. Make sure you read the fine print – especially if you’re bringing any long-term health issues with you.
Once you’re legal and settled, you can move to the public system if you pay into it. But again, expect forms. And queues. And Pedro.
The Property Market Isn’t What It Looks Like Online
You’ve probably already spent hours on Javea property sites. Seen the photos. Read the descriptions. Dreamed of a sea view and a lemon tree.
Just remember: not everything in Spain is what it says on the tin.
That “sea view” might involve standing on a stool in the bathroom and squinting. That “short walk to town” may involve a hill that would break a donkey.
Use a local estate agent based in Javea who speaks both languages and knows the area. Don’t just rely on what you saw on a TV show about Brits moving abroad. That’s how people end up living next to a sewage plant in a town they can’t pronounce.
You’ll Still Be a Foreigner
And that’s fine.
The locals are friendly. The expat community is strong. But remember – you’re a guest. You’re not owed anything. Learn some Spanish. Even if it’s just enough to say “thank you,” “I’m lost,” and “where is the pharmacy?”
You’ll settle quicker, avoid silly mistakes, and make friends who don’t just look like you.
So, Is It Worth It?
Yes. If you come prepared.
Javea is beautiful. It’s got a lovely coastline, a good hospital, proper supermarkets, and enough cafés to keep you busy until the next solar eclipse. But retiring here isn’t a permanent holiday. It’s real life. With real bills. And real admin.
Come for the sunshine, yes. But stay because you like the place, not just the price of the wine.
Want help finding a property that doesn’t involve guesswork, Google Translate, or heartbreak? You know where we are.