Russians in Spain: 110 665 in total, 20 000 on the Costa Blanca

The Russian presence on the Costa Blanca is not new, it has been consolidating for over two decades. What started as a trickle of retirees attracted by the climate became a structured community with shops, restaurants, churches, medical services, estate agents and a social network that allows you to live on the Costa Blanca with a foot in each culture. For a Russian considering a move, the question is not whether they will find compatriots, it is where they are and what services they offer.

The numbers: how many Russians are there?

In Spain as a whole

Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) counted 110 665 people holding Russian nationality living in Spain on 1 January 2025, and 141 438 born in Russia. The gap between the two figures is the measure of how settled the community is: tens of thousands have taken Spanish or another citizenship and no longer appear as Russians in the count.

They are a Mediterranean population, not a Madrid one. The Valencian Community and Catalonia hold the largest concentrations, and Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Girona are the four provinces where Russians register most.

In Alicante province

According to municipal register data, approximately 20 000 Russian citizens are registered in Alicante province. The real figure is likely higher: many Russian speakers hold Ukrainian, Belarusian, Moldovan, Kazakh or other post-Soviet passports. If we include the entire Russian-speaking community (not just Russian nationals), the figure may exceed 35 000-40 000 people.

Municipalities with the highest concentration:

• Torrevieja: ~3 800 registered Russians, plus thousands of Ukrainians and other Russian speakers. Spain's most 'Russian' city.
• Alicante city: ~2 800 registered Russians. The provincial capital with established services.
• Benidorm: ~850 Russians. Visible presence in tourism and residential life.
• Calpe: ~700 Russians. Notable concentration for a city of 25 000.
• Villajoyosa: significant community with Russian-language commerce.

Where they live: the neighbourhoods

Torrevieja

The La Mata area and town centre concentrate most of the Russian community. Avenida de las Habaneras and surroundings have Russian restaurants, Slavic product shops and Cyrillic signage. The neighbourhood is not a 'ghetto', it is an international mix where Russians, Ukrainians, Scandinavians and Spaniards coexist. Property prices are among the coast's most accessible (€1 800-2 200/m²).

Benidorm

Rincón de Loix and the Levante area have visible Russian presence: Russian estate agents, restaurants, food shops.

Calpe

Calpe's Russian community is proportionally one of the coast's largest. The town centre and northern urbanisations have Russian-language commerce and services.

Alicante city

More dispersed. No defined 'Russian neighbourhood', but services are well distributed: clinics with Russian-speaking staff, shops across several areas, Orthodox church.

Services in Russian

Shops and food

• Berezka, Teremok (chains in Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm): black bread, sausages, red caviar, Russian dairy, sweets, preserves, vodka.
• Globus (Torrevieja): mini-shopping centre with café, Russian products and services.
• Independent shops in Calpe, Villajoyosa, Alfaz del Pi and Jávea.

Restaurants and cafés

Russian and Ukrainian restaurants with borsch, pelmeni, blini and home-style Slavic cuisine in Torrevieja, Benidorm, Calpe and Alicante.

Orthodox churches

The Russian Orthodox Church has parishes in Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm and Altea. Services in Church Slavonic and Russian. Beyond spiritual function, parishes serve as social and cultural meeting points: Orthodox Christmas (7 January), Easter, Russian classes for children.

The one to see, whether or not you are Orthodox, is San Miguel Arcángel in the Altea Hills urbanisation above Altea. It was the first Russian Orthodox temple ever built on Spanish soil: the foundation stone was laid on 21 November 2002 by Bishop Michael (Storogenko) and the church was consecrated in 2007. It is built of wood in the traditional style, with the materials and the craftsmen brought from Russia, and it looks out over the whole northern coast. Entry is free and it is usually open daily from around 9:00 to 18:00.

Medical services

Private clinics with Russian-speaking staff in Torrevieja, Benidorm, Alicante and Calpe. Dentists, GPs and gynaecologists offering care in Russian.

Estate agents and legal services

Numerous Costa Blanca estate agents serve in Russian: full-service purchase, sale, rental management, legal advice, bank account opening and procedure support.

Media

Russian-language newspapers and magazines distributed on the Costa Blanca. Active Facebook and Telegram groups with thousands of members. YouTube channels about Costa Blanca life in Russian.

Education for Russian-speaking children

• Spanish state schools: total immersion. Young children adapt quickly. Most practical long-term.
• International schools: British curriculum (in English). An intermediate option.
• Extracurricular Russian classes: Saturday language and literature classes at private academies and Orthodox parishes in Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm and Calpe.

The community after 2022

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 changed the dynamics of the Slavic community on the Costa Blanca. Thousands of Ukrainians arrived as refugees, especially in Torrevieja. Day-to-day coexistence between Russians and Ukrainians has been generally peaceful, both communities share language, shops and services. But tensions exist, and it is a sensitive topic each family handles differently.

For Russians, international sanctions and banking restrictions have complicated some practical aspects: transfers from Russia, opening Spanish bank accounts (which may request additional documentation) and social perception. However, the established Russian community, with residence, NIE and integrated lives, has not seen its legal status in Spain affected.

Is it easy to integrate as a Russian?

Yes, with a caveat. The Costa Blanca's Russian infrastructure makes the transition smooth, you can shop, eat, worship, see a doctor and even buy a house without speaking Spanish. But that same ease can become a trap: staying in the 'Russian bubble' without learning Spanish or connecting with local life. Those who live best here use the Russian community as a support network while building their life in Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Spanish to live here as a Russian?

For the first months, no, Russian infrastructure is sufficient. Medium-term, Spanish is essential for official procedures and social life beyond the bubble. An A2-B1 level changes the experience radically.

Can I open a bank account with a Russian passport?

Yes, but it may require additional documentation (proof of residence, NIE, income proof). Some banks have tightened controls for Russian citizens since 2022. Having a NIE and empadronamiento certificate greatly facilitates the process.

Are there Russian schools?

No schools with an accredited Russian curriculum. Extracurricular Russian classes (Saturdays) exist at private academies and Orthodox parishes. Children typically attend Spanish state schools or British international schools.

How do I send money from Russia to Spain?

Direct bank transfers between Russia and Spain are restricted by sanctions. Alternatives: transfer services like Wise (limited), informal community systems, or cryptocurrency (with corresponding tax implications). A complex topic best handled with professional advice.

Do the Russian and Ukrainian communities coexist well?

Generally yes, at everyday level. They share language, shops and many services. Tensions exist at personal and political level but have not translated into significant community conflicts on the Costa Blanca.

If you are thinking of moving to the Costa Blanca, explore our available properties or contact us for a personalised consultation.