Torrevieja is known as an idyllic destination where one can enjoy the pleasant weather, beautiful beaches and surrounding nature all year round. More and more people from all over the world are making that discovery, as of its 100,421 registered residents, almost half (49.74%) are from 122 different countries. Ukraine, Russia and the United Kingdom top the list, making this city on the Costa Blanca the third largest in Alicante province and the fifth largest in the Valencia region, after Valencia, Alicante, Castellón and Elche.
According to data provided by Torrevieja municipality, there are 49,944 foreign residents and 50,477 Spaniards. To this should be added those who are of foreign origin but have Spanish nationality, but such figures are not available.
Moreover, many residents choose to spend only the first six months of the year in the city, before packing their bags at the beginning of summer and returning to their country of origin to escape the crowds. This ensures that many, despite possibly having a residence permit, are not formally registered.
This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among British people, who, although among the largest group, are reluctant to “leave their roots”. It is therefore likely that in unofficial figures, the number of foreign residents already exceeds the number of local residents. Hundreds of Dutch and Belgians also live in Torrevieja for much of the year, but are not officially registered as residents there, so the exact number of Dutch and Belgians living in Torrevieja is unknown.
Foreigners
The 2022 figures show that there are 7,650 residents of Ukrainian origin, 5,837 from Russia and 4,912 from the UK. An additional 1,879 newly registered Ukrainians and 905 Russians have been added since January 2023.
International residents come from 122 countries, including citizens of Senegal, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Chile, Uruguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Macedonia, Denmark, Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico and the United States.
Urban growth
Strong growth in the number of foreigners has led to significant expansion of the city in recent decades. Whereas Torrevieja was still a small fishing village with just 20,000 inhabitants in the early 1980s, the resort now has more than 100,000 people. However, this explosive growth has also brought infrastructure challenges.
Building new residential areas, schools, hospitals and roads has required significant investments. There is also work to be done on integrating the many foreign residents. Nevertheless, Torrevieja’s cultural diversity also offers opportunities. Its vibrant atmosphere, international cuisines and booming economy make it a popular destination for expats and tourists.
All in all, the strong international presence has transformed Torrevieja from a sleepy fishing village into a bustling resort with a cosmopolitan character. And this trend does not seem to be over for the time being.
Seasonal migration
A notable phenomenon in Torrevieja is the strong seasonal migration, especially among the British population. In the summer months, the streets and beaches are flooded by tens of thousands of British tourists and second-home owners. But once temperatures drop in autumn and winters in Spain become relatively cold and wet, many leave for the UK again.
This poses some challenges, such as strong fluctuations in housing demand, fluctuating incomes for local entrepreneurs and higher seasonal unemployment. Some facilities, such as restaurants and shops, are largely closed in winter, causing vacancy and a ghost town-like atmosphere in the off-season.
On the other hand, mass tourism in the summer months also generates a lot of income and employment. The market for second homes is booming, bringing in much-needed cash for developers and other companies.
SOURCE : Spanjevandaag
