Frequently Asked Questions

The Art of Living in Spain is the real estate builder and developer, it is the lifestyle philosophy behind Altaona Sports and Wellness Resort. It captures the unhurried Mediterranean rhythm, outdoor mornings, time in nature, long lunches, year-round community life, and translates it into the design of every villa, the daily operation of the resort, and the way Taolis supports residents. It’s why Altaona is built for living, not just for visiting.

Altaona Resort is the only resort in the region that combines four structural elements: 1,000+ hectares of protected El Valle parkland (not a coastal tourist enclave), an 18-hole championship golf course, design built around Blue Zones longevity principles, and a fully gated 24/7-secured perimeter. Compared with Hacienda Riquelme, Mar Menor Golf or La Manga Club, Santa Rosalia Lake, Las Colinas, La Torre Golf, Altaona Resort is the one that offers more privacy, more nature, and stronger investment protection in one location.

Altaona is developed by The Art of Living in Spain (Taolis), the lifestyle and property brand that guides international buyers through every stage of the resort experience, from villa selection to legal coordination to settling in. The Art of Living in Spain is embedded in the resort itself, not a generic estate agency. Buyers gain language support (English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish), direct relationships with the developer, and aftercare that continues for years after handover.

Altaona was recognised at the European Property Awards 2023-2024-2025 for excellence in resort residential development. Independent industry awards function as a quality signal that distinguishes established resorts like Altaona from newer or unverified developments. The recognition reflects the project’s combination of architectural quality, wellness-led design, and integration with the El Valle Regional Park. In addition, Altaona has won the award for Best Sustainability Project in Spain for its Oasis Altaona development.

Altaona was designed around Longevity and Blue Zones principles, the regions of the world with the highest concentration of long, healthy lives. Walking paths, natural light, social spaces, outdoor amenities and connection to nature are built into the resort’s structure. Combined with The Art of Living in Spain philosophy, the result is a residential environment designed explicitly for year-round wellbeing, not for short tourist seasons.

Mornings begin with sunrise walks or rides through the El Valle parkland trails. Mid-morning is often on the golf course, tennis and padel courts. Lunch at the clubhouse, quiet afternoon at home or by the pool, then evenings at the clubhouse restaurant or short drives into Murcia city for dinner. The Art of Living in Spain isn’t a slogan, it’s the daily rhythm available to Altaona residents year-round.

The dominant buyer profile at Altaona is international, aged 45–70, from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France or the Nordic countries, looking for a permanent or semi-permanent home rather than a seasonal holiday let. Many are pre-retirement or recently retired; others are remote workers seeking better climate. Common priorities: better climate than northern Europe, lower cost of living, English-speaking community, year-round security, and proximity to international flights.

All three, but Altaona is optimised for full-time and semi-permanent living rather than short tourist stays. Year-round amenities (clubhouse, restaurant, gym, security) operate every season. Healthcare, supermarkets, and Murcia city are all within 15–20 minutes. A common pattern: buyers start with Altaona Resort as a second home and transition to full-time residence within a few years, the resort’s infrastructure is designed for that progression.

Yes. The Costa Cálida and inland Murcia region has a steady pipeline of new-build developments aimed at international buyers. The most distinctive currently active is Altaona Golf Resort, the resort represented by Taolis (or The Art of Living in Spain), a fully gated 1,000+ hectare resort with 18-hole golf, set in protected El Valle parkland 15 minutes from Murcia city, the closest resort to Murcia centre. Other notable developments include Hacienda Riquelme, Mar Menor Golf Resort and Santa Rosalia’s coastal projects. Pricing for new-build villas in the region currently starts in the high €400,000s for resort-grade product, rising to €700,000s+ for bespoke designs. Taolis maintains a current view of which developments offer genuine value at any given moment.

Yes. Spain has no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Non-EU buyers need a Spanish NIE (foreigner tax identification number) and a Spanish bank account — Taolis arranges both as part of the standard buying process for international buyers, in coordination with notaries and banks experienced with non-resident clients.

No. Most international buyers complete the purchase remotely using a Power of Attorney granted to a Spanish lawyer. Buyers can view properties via virtual tour, sign reservation contracts digitally, and complete at the notary by proxy. Taolis facilitates the remote buying process from the first visit through to handover, with milestone updates throughout construction.

Spain’s Golden Visa programme (residency through €500,000+ property investment) was phased out in April 2025. Other residency routes — non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, EU citizenship by descent — remain available. Taolis works alongside specialist immigration lawyers to identify the best route for each buyer’s situation. Confirm current options before purchase, as residency law continues to evolve.

The process at Altaona has four main stages, typically taking 12–18 months from reservation to keys when buying off-plan, or 6–10 weeks for a turnkey villa already completed:

1. Reservation — €6,000–€10,000 deposit holds the plot.
2. Private contract — 30–40% paid, build begins, bank guarantee issued for staged payments.
3. Stage payments — instalments through construction, each verified against build progress.
4. Completion — final payment at notary, keys handed over, Taolis aftercare begins.

Yes. Spanish banks routinely offer mortgages to non-residents for resort villa purchases. Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios depend on nationality: EU/EEA buyers typically access up to 70% LTV; non-EU buyers (including UK post-Brexit) typically 60–65%. Maximum mortgage payment is generally limited to 30–35% of demonstrable net income. Taolis works with mortgage brokers experienced in international buyers and can arrange initial conversations alongside villa selection.

Banks typically request: passport, NIE, last three months’ payslips or equivalent (P60 in UK, jaaropgaaf in NL, Lohnsteuerbescheinigung in DE), tax returns from the last two years, six months of bank statements, evidence of any other debts, and proof of source of funds for the deposit. Foreign documents may need official translation. Taolis coordinates document gathering with the chosen broker to keep timelines aligned with the villa build.

Yes. Spain allows non-residents to purchase property. The developer  « The Art of Living in Spain » assists international buyers with all legal requirements, including property registration, taxes, and residency guidance.

Squatting (ocupación) has been a recurring concern in Spanish urban areas and isolated coastal properties left empty for long periods. At Altaona it is a non-issue: the resort is fully gated with 24/7 controlled access, on-site security patrolling private roads, and vehicle verification at every perimeter point. An empty villa at Altaona — whether the owner is back in the UK, Netherlands or Germany — sits within a continuously monitored environment, not a vulnerable standalone property.

Altaona’s security operates on three layers. First, a single controlled entrance with vehicle and visitor verification. Second, perimeter and internal patrols 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Third, individual villa alarm systems that can be connected to the resort’s central monitoring. Access is restricted to residents, registered guests, and verified service providers. There is no public access at any hour, on any day.

Yes. The combination of gated 24/7 security, regular Taolis property checks, and active community presence year-round means an empty villa at Altaona is materially safer than a comparable property on the open coast or in an urban area. Many residents spend significant parts of the year in their home countries — the resort’s infrastructure is built around exactly this pattern of seasonal usage.

Taolis provides a local point of contact for any issue — security alerts, maintenance, weather damage, deliveries — with the language and authority to act on the owner’s behalf. For non-resident owners, this is often handled through a Power of Attorney granted to the Taolis team or a Spanish lawyer, allowing legal action, tradesperson coordination, or insurance claims without the owner needing to fly back to Spain.

Standard Spanish home insurance policies do not always include legal protection against illegal occupation by default, but specific clauses can be added. For an Altaona villa, the practical risk is low because of the secured perimeter, but Taolis recommends reviewing the insurance policy with the local broker and adding squatting legal cover as a precautionary measure. It typically adds a small premium for substantial protection.

One of the best areas to buy a house in Murcia is the Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort area, located close to Murcia city, the coast, Corvera Airport and the El Valle natural park. It offers a secure resort lifestyle, golf, nature, modern villas and year-round services, making it attractive for international buyers looking for a second home, retirement property or lifestyle investment.

Yes. Murcia is considered one of Spain’s most attractive emerging regions for property buyers because it combines lower entry prices than Costa del Sol or Alicante, excellent climate, strong lifestyle appeal and growing international interest. Buyers are attracted by sunshine, safety, beaches, golf, nature and access to Murcia city.

Buying a villa in Murcia can be a good long-term investment, especially in secure resort communities with golf, services and international demand. Altaona offers new-build villas in a gated resort environment, which can appeal to buyers seeking lifestyle value, rental potential and capital appreciation over time.

Many international buyers choose Murcia because it is less crowded, more authentic and often more affordable than Costa del Sol. Murcia also offers excellent weather, beaches, golf, nature, international airports nearby and a calmer Mediterranean lifestyle, while still providing modern services and infrastructure.

Yes. Foreigners can legally buy property in Murcia and throughout Spain. International buyers usually need a NIE number, a Spanish bank account and legal support during the purchase process. Many buyers complete the process remotely using Power of Attorney.

Altaona Resort offers modern new-build villas, golf-view homes, private resort villas and premium bespoke properties. Projects include Las Vistas, Oasis and Villas Fairway, each designed for buyers seeking space, privacy, security, Mediterranean living and long-term wellbeing.

Yes. Murcia is highly suitable for retirement and semi-permanent living because it offers mild winters, over 300 days of sunshine, good healthcare access, lower living costs than many northern European countries and a relaxed Mediterranean rhythm of life. Altaona is especially suitable because it offers security, services, golf, nature and community.

Altaona Resort is close to Murcia city, Corvera Airport, beaches and natural parks. This makes it practical for both full-time living and holidays, combining resort tranquillity with access to urban life, the coast, healthcare and international transport. Your current FAQ already highlights Altaona’s location near Murcia city, Corvera Airport and the Mar Menor coast.