French community on the Costa Brava

As a coastal region just a few kilometres from Barcelona in Spain, the Costa Brava attracts many visitors from all over the world every year. While some only stay here for their holidays, others plan to make it their permanent home. The Catalan coast is home to a large French community in search of sunshine, a relaxed lifestyle and an enchanting environment. Are you thinking of buying a house and moving to the Costa Brava? Immo 365 tells you all about the special features of this region here.

Costa Brava: a popular destination for the French

With its Mediterranean coastline and beautiful, varied landscapes, the Costa Brava is a top destination for foreigners. This region of Spain, which stretches from north-east Catalonia to the French border, offers an enticing mix of beaches, culture and history. Its pleasant climate and rich gastronomy attract many people. It is much more than just a holiday destination for them. Many French expatriates have decided to make France their main residence because of the quality of life and affordable property prices. France has the second largest community on the Costa Brava (between 12,000 and 15,000 French nationals) after the UK (around 40,000 nationals).

The appeal of the Catalan region is not just limited to its idyllic setting. A host of factors make it an excellent choice for French expatriates looking for a balanced lifestyle combining nature, culture and well-being. Proximity to France, accessible health services and the advantages of Spain for families are all factors that explain the presence of the French community on Catalonia's Costa Brava.

The latter is actively involved in local life, with associations and events that help forge links and support each other. Institutions such as the Institut français and the Alliance française help to maintain a strong cultural link. They offer expats opportunities for exchanges and encounters.

Why move to the Costa Brava in Catalonia?

Moving to the Costa Brava offers a peaceful lifestyle with its splendid beaches and picturesque villages. This region, rich in culture and history, offers exceptional gastronomy and a pleasant climate all year round. It's the ideal place if you're looking for tranquillity and beauty.

Exceptional climate and scenery

The eastern coast of Spain offers an exceptional quality of life, where sun, sea and culture intermingle to create an ideal environment. The mild, sunny Mediterranean climate all year round is a great reason to move to the Costa Brava in Catalonia. It allows you to take full advantage of all the region's natural wonders. The fine sandy beaches, secluded coves and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean invite you to relax. When you move to this part of Spain, you'll feel like you're on holiday all the time. Roses, Cadaques and Figueras are, in fact, towns where life is good.

Numerous things to do on the Costa Brava

You can indulge in outdoor activities at any time of year. Explore côtier towns like Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, known for their beaches and lively nightlife. Visit medieval villages like Pals and Peratallada, with their cobbled streets and castles. If you're an art lover, the Dalí Triangle is well worth a visit. It includes the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat and the Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol.

You can also visit Girona's church, which offers a glimpse of historic religious architecture. Water activities are also plentiful in this part of Spain. Between kayaking trips, diving and boat excursions, you won't have time to get bored when you end up settling down on Catalonia's Costa Brava. For a unique experience, consider a hot-air balloon ride to admire the Catalan landscape from the sky.

This region is also rich in natural parks. It's ideal for hiking and wildlife-watching, activities that many French people love to do on the Costa Brava.

Comfortable living at a ratherôt low cost

The Costa Brava is also known for its relatively low cost of living compared with other European destinations. This means you can live comfortably without compromising your budget. Its proximity to France is also a major advantage. It encourages family visits and the maintenance of cultural links between the two countries.

The school system in Spain is also a great asset. The choice to move to the Costa Brava in Catalonia means you can offer your children a quality education. You can access state, semi-private and public schools that offer programmes in Spanish. International schools also offer bilingual or multilingual education.

Do you need to buy a house or flat on the Costa Brava?

Housing is one of the main things you need to think about before moving to the Costa Brava in Catalonia. Think about buying a house or apartment in this region of Spain. For example, you should find out by researching topics such as Spanish residents: advantages and disadvantages in property on the Costa Brava. You can also use an agency like Immo365 to benefit from the know-how and experience of experts in this type of investment. In any case, a large part of the reason why there is such a large French community on the eastern coast of Spain is because of the diversity of the property stock. In fact, the region offers a wide range of properties for tourists or expatriates wishing to settle here.

Comfortable houses and flats are located in the best towns and cities, among others, as well as luxurious villas with sea views. This diversity allows you to find the property that meets your expectations. By buying a house on the Costa Brava, you can take advantage of strong potential for appreciation. Demand for property in this popular region of Catalonia is constantly increasing, thanks in particular to the influx of tourists throughout the year. This means you'll have good rental yield prospects if you plan to rent out the house during the periods when you're not occupying it.

The tax advantages in Spain also make property finance in Spain even more attractive. Residents can benefit from advantageous tax conditions, particularly in terms of income tax and capital gains tax on property. Buying a home on the Costa Brava is also more attractive in certain towns and villages. These include Roses (a quiet town famous for its citadel and castle), Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Pals (a village in the Baix Empordà comarca). Cadaqués, Platja d'Aro and Blanes are also towns where French expats prefer to settle on the Costa Brava in Catalonia.