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Date Published: 09/01/2023

ARCHIVED - Brexit and the 90 days in 180 rule sees more Brits relocate to Benidorm

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The number of inhabitants registered in the Costa Blanca resort has increased by 620 people in 12 months

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Brexit and the 90 days in 180 rule sees more Brits relocate to Benidorm

Benidorm is arguably one the most popular coastal resorts with tourists holidaying in Spain, and is equally sought after by foreigners, in particular British, looking to settle abroad.

In the last 12 months alone, Costa Blanca's tourist capital has seen its population grow by 620 registered residents, with the official number of inhabitants rising to 69,738 in 2022.

Despite this growth, Benidorm is still below the 70,000 inhabitants threshold it reached in 2020 after years of increasing numbers of residents attributed to campaigns such as the resident card, consumer vouchers and ongoing residential developments.

Brexit also helped, with many British citizens, who spent long periods of time in the municipality, deciding to become official residents of the census following the 90 days in 180 ruling.

However, the onset of the pandemic saw many Brits return to the UK. But, with the return to normality and tourist activity, many have decided to return to Benidorm and take up residence; in addition to some who have moved to the resort for the first time.

According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), 69,118 people were registered in Benidorm in 2021, whilst a year earlier, there were 70,450 inhabitants.

This was the highest figure recorded since 2013 when 73,768 people were living in the resort. The following year, in 2014, it dropped to 69,010.

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Commenting on the 620 increase over the last 12 months, Councillor for Citizen Participation, Foreign Residents, Citizen Services and Statistics, Ana Pellicer, said. "The data is very positive due to the fact people are not only deciding to live here, but to register with the census and get benefits on a day-to-day basis".

These include access to health care, sports activities, schools and any municipal service.

"The municipality also benefits because the more residents registered, the more benefits the Town Hall receives from the State to expand or improve services," explained Pellicer.

"In areas such as Poniente, in recent years, there has been a real estate boom with the construction of skyscrapers. It is often thought that they will be used as second homes or flats, but this is not happening. Poniente is now a new residential area that attracts people permanently, not just for the tourist season," she added.

And she confirmed that the local council's goal is to once again reach the 70,000 mark through new campaigns and cost-saving initiatives.

"Problems have always existed for foreign residents to register in Spain, but it is also difficult for nationals. However, if one by one, people manage to overcome administrative barriers, this would increase our population and bring even more State benefits to Benidorm".

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