Spain or…?

For us, Spain’s Costa Blanca coastline is, of course, the best place on earth.
But, as people like to point out, there are also the UAE, Turkey and Northern Cyprus. So let’s compare prices and conditions in the destinations that are most popular with Russian-speaking investors.

UAE (Dubai)

Prices: new builds from 250,000 euros.
The cost of services and day-to-day living is 5–6 times higher than on the Costa Blanca.
The climate is extremely hot: today in Dubai it is around +30°C (and that’s October, while in summer it reaches +45°C and above).
On the plus side: a very high level of service, premium-quality property and life in a fast-paced, ultra-modern megacity.
BUT: it is practically impossible to obtain citizenship, and to get a residence visa through property purchase the minimum investment threshold has just been raised from 205,000 dollars to 544,000 dollars.
Dubai’s market is oversupplied and construction is developing at a breakneck pace. At the same time, the price per square metre is rising. We compared Spain and Dubai in more detail here.

Northern Cyprus

Prices: new builds from 180,000 euros.
The cost of services and day-to-day living is roughly similar to that in Spain.
The climate is also very similar.
The quality of property is noticeably lower than in Spain, and the island’s social infrastructure is still quite limited. There are beautiful wild beaches, but not yet many modern neighbourhoods and, as a result, fewer schools, shops and fully developed urban environments. New residential complexes are being built like oases — small islands among empty plots.
And Northern Cyprus remains an unrecognised republic, which raises questions about the legal security of property rights and residence status.

Turkey (Antalya region)

Prices: new builds from 150,000 euros.
The cost of services and everyday life is roughly the same as, or even a little lower than, what we are used to.
The climate: slightly hotter in summer, cooler in winter.
The quality of construction of new developments is mixed, and social infrastructure is well developed in the major resorts such as Antalya and Alanya, but still quite limited in smaller towns.

A residence permit can be obtained when you buy property, and citizenship is possible with an investment from 400,000 dollars based on cadastral value.
However, there are “closed” districts where foreigners cannot obtain a residence permit under any circumstances, and the legal framework is very unstable — a measure can be adopted one day and repealed the next.
The banking system in Turkey is also quite specific: it is relatively easy to bring money into the country, but very difficult to transfer it out again.
It is a state with its own traditions, which often differ dramatically from European norms.

Spain (Costa Blanca)

Prices: new builds from 180,000 euros.
The cost of services and living expenses is among the lowest in Europe.
The climate is mild: up to around +35°C in summer and +10–15°C in winter.
The quality of property from reliable developers is now fully on a par with global standards.
Even the most demanding Europeans note the high level of service.
All legal aspects of transactions are handled officially and transparently — read our guide to buying property in Spain. Spain is also one of the most welcoming EU countries for immigrants.
Spanish real estate has always been, and remains, a reliable way to preserve capital. In recent years it has shown strong price growth in line with global trends. At the same time, on the Costa Blanca it is still possible to find very budget-friendly homes from around 40,000 euros if you look at older buildings a little further from the sea.

Which Country Offers the Best Property Investment for 2025?

Each destination has its merits, but the key factors most investors prioritise — legal security, quality of life, EU membership, stable property rights, and long-term capital preservation — point clearly towards Spain. Here is a quick summary:

• Legal security: Spain (EU law) > Turkey > Northern Cyprus (unrecognised state)
• Entry price: Turkey ≈ Northern Cyprus > Spain ≈ UAE
• Residency pathway: All offer some form of residency through property purchase (with different thresholds)
• Quality of life index: Spain leads among all four destinations
• Cost of living: Spain and Turkey are the most affordable; UAE is significantly more expensive

On the Costa Blanca, properties start from around 40,000 euros for older apartments and from 180,000 euros for modern new builds. For investors seeking both a reliable asset and a high quality of life, Spain consistently outperforms the alternatives.

If you would like to compare specific properties or understand the current market on the Costa Blanca, the team at Granfield Estate is ready to help. We offer free consultations and full transaction support — get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spain or Dubai — which is better for buying real estate?

It depends on your goals. Dubai offers a high level of service and zero taxes, but citizenship is impossible to obtain, and the cost of living is 5–6 times higher. Spain is more attractive climatically, offers a path to EU citizenship in 10 years, and significantly more affordable prices in the segment up to €150,000. Up to €100,000, Spain wins unconditionally.

Spain or Northern Cyprus — what’s the difference?

Northern Cyprus offers lower starting prices (from €180,000 for new builds), but falls short in infrastructure, legal certainty, and construction quality. Part of the island is not recognized by most countries, which creates legal risks when purchasing. Spain is a full member of the EU with transparent legislation and well-protected buyer rights.

Spain or Turkey — which is more advantageous for real estate investment?

Turkey offers low entry prices (from €100,000) and an expedited citizenship by investment program. However, the instability of the lira, high inflation, and weak integration into the European legal space create risks. Spain has a stable eurozone economy, a predictable market, transparent taxes, and the possibility of obtaining EU citizenship. For long-term capital preservation, Spain is more reliable.

Why is Costa Blanca the best place to buy real estate among all alternatives?

More than 300 sunny days a year, sea from May to November, housing prices by the sea starting from €60,000, developed international infrastructure, the largest Russian-speaking community in Spain, a path to EU citizenship, and legal protection of transactions. This combination is hard to find anywhere else in Europe.