With over 300 days of sunshine a year here in the Marina Alta, it's little wonder that a private pool is one of the most requested features from buyers — and one of the most common upgrades homeowners consider after moving in. It's also, in areas like ours, over 1 in 3 foreign-owned villas already have one. But how much does a pool actually cost to build, and what should you budget for beyond the hole in the ground? Here's a clear breakdown.

• Concrete (In-Ground) Pools: The Popular Choice
• Prefabricated Pools: The Budget-Friendlier Option
• Beyond the Shell: What Else to Budget For
• Permits and Legal Requirements
• Running Costs to Keep in Mind
• Is It Worth It?

Concrete (In-Ground) Pools: The Popular Choice

Concrete, in-ground pools are by far the most common option in Spain thanks to their durability and the ability to fully customise size, shape and finish. As a rough guide, expect to pay somewhere in the region of €300 to €700 per square metre of pool, depending on the finish and specification you choose.

For a standard, popular size — around 8 metres by 4 metres — a fully built pool with tiling, filtration, licence and surrounding groundwork typically comes in somewhere between €22,000 and €30,000, including the necessary permits and project costs. Move up to a larger 10m x 5m pool and you're generally looking at closer to €30,000 to €40,000 or more, before any premium extras.

What pushes the price up within that range comes down to a few key variables:

• The overall size and shape (curves and custom designs cost more than a simple rectangle)
• The lining and tiling you choose — a basic mosaic finish costs considerably less than high-end porcelain or natural stone
• Whether you add features like skimmers, underwater lighting, or a swim-up seating area
• The complexity of the ground conditions — sloping plots or rocky terrain in parts of the Marina Alta can increase excavation costs

Prefabricated Pools: The Budget-Friendlier Option

If you want a pool without the full custom-build price tag, prefabricated pools are worth considering. These arrive largely pre-formed, meaning installation is generally quicker and less labour-intensive — you're mainly paying for excavation, placement, connections and the purification system. Prices for prefabricated pools typically start from around €8,000, though costs vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and material.

Beyond the Shell: What Else to Budget For

The structural build is only part of the picture. To get a realistic total cost, factor in:

• Filtration and pumps: A decent smart pump and filtration setup typically starts at around €1,500 for a good-quality system.
• Solar heating: Given how much free sunshine the Marina Alta gets, solar heating is a popular addition — budget roughly €5,500 for the initial installation, which usually pays for itself over time compared to running costs on electric or gas heating.
• Safety and covers: Pool covers and safety equipment are worth budgeting for separately, particularly if you have young children or are renting the property out.
• Surrounding terracing: Pool areas are rarely left as bare concrete — terracing typically costs in the region of €60 per square metre, so 100m² of decking or paving around the pool could add roughly €6,000 to your overall project.

Permits and Legal Requirements

Building a pool in Spain isn't simply a matter of hiring a contractor and digging a hole. A licence and project sign-off are required, and this is typically factored into the quoted price from a reputable pool builder. It's worth noting that in certain locations and urbanisations across the Marina Alta, strict planning limitations mean permits are not always granted — so if you're buying a property specifically with the intention of adding a pool, it's essential to check with your agent beforehand that the plot and zoning allow for one.

Running Costs to Keep in Mind

Beyond the build itself, ongoing costs include electricity for pumps and heating, chemicals for water treatment, and periodic maintenance or repairs. These vary depending on pool size, how often it's used, and whether you add energy-saving features like solar heating or a pool cover to reduce heat loss and evaporation.

Is It Worth It?

For most buyers in this region, yes. A well-built pool is not just a lifestyle upgrade — in a market where competition for well-presented properties remains strong, a pool can be a genuine differentiator both for resale value and for rental potential if you're considering letting the property out during the summer months.

Thinking about adding a pool to your property, or looking for a home where one is already in place or permitted? Get in touch with our team — we know which properties and plots across the Marina Alta already have the right permissions, and can put you in touch with trusted local pool builders.