Yes. But these three projects are not searched for in the same way, and that is often where disappointment starts. A property that is perfect for holidays can be a poor investment, and a good buy-to-let can be unliveable all year round. So our first job is to clarify your goal.
A second home
The key criteria: walking distance to the beach and shops, the off-season atmosphere, how easy it is to look after while you are away, and access from France. A small shared pool and a well-oriented flat are sometimes better than a villa that needs a gardener all year. Also think about looking after the property while you are away.
Buy-to-let
Here, one rule changes everything: in Catalonia, holiday letting requires a licence, and not every town allows new ones. A property without a licence cannot be let by the week, however charming it is. We check this before any offer, and compare it with long-term letting, which is more stable. The rules are detailed in our article on letting your property.
Retirement
Living on the Costa Brava all year round is different from spending the summer there. We look at how close healthcare is, village life in winter, how accessible the home will be as you get older (floors, stairs, slopes), and the formalities that come with moving here: registering with the town hall, health cover, tax residence.
And projects that mix everything?
That is the most common case: a few weeks a year for you, some letting the rest of the time, then retirement in ten years. These projects work very well, as long as you choose the property for its most demanding use.
A good purchase starts with a good question: what will this property be used for in five years?
