# Living in Algorfa: natural hazards, housing and amenities Algorfa is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, with 3,788 registered residents (1 January 2025). The centre lies outside mapped flood areas. Resale homes pay 9 % transfer tax (ITP). This overview covers 8 topics from official open data, measured at the centre; values at a specific address can differ. As of: 9 November 2026 · Source: https://www.place-check.com/places/spain/algorfa ## About Algorfa ### Algorfa: inland village life in Alicante’s Vega Baja Algorfa sits inland in the Vega Baja del Segura, the agricultural lowlands of southern Alicante province in the Comunitat Valenciana. Its setting is distinctly different from the province’s coastal resorts: irrigated farmland, citrus growing and the wider Segura valley shape the landscape, while golf adds a leisure and residential dimension. For anyone considering living in Algorfa, the central distinction is between access to the coast and life on the coast. This is not a beach town, and neither the railway nor the airport is on the doorstep. It offers a small-town base within reach of the wider Alicante area, but everyday convenience depends heavily on the exact address and access to a car. ### Living in Algorfa: a growing village with an older population Algorfa had **around 3,800 residents** at the start of 2025, following growth of about **21% over five years**. That is a substantial change for a small municipality, although the figures do not explain how much comes from permanent relocation rather than changes in registration. The mean age is about 51. This gives useful context for retirees considering the area, but does not mean Algorfa is exclusively a retirement destination. Families should look beyond the municipal average and investigate the practical arrangements for schooling, activities and meeting other children. Algorfa also has an established international presence. For newcomers, that can make social contact easier, particularly through golf and other shared activities. Spanish remains important for participating in village life and dealing with everyday services beyond international social circles. ### An agricultural setting, with golf rather than a seafront Algorfa belongs to the Vega Baja’s long-established irrigated farming landscape. The area’s history is closely connected to the use and management of water in the Segura basin, and agriculture remains part of its identity rather than simply a backdrop to housing. Golf is another recognisable part of Algorfa’s character. It brings a different rhythm from the traditional agricultural village, with leisure use and overseas residents contributing to local life. Buyers should be clear about which aspect attracts them: village routines, golf-oriented living or an inland base for exploring the coast. The Mediterranean beaches are a reason people consider this part of Alicante, but living in Algorfa means travelling to them. A coastal outing is separate from the daily experience of stepping outside into an inland village and farming landscape. ### Commuting from Algorfa: road access matters most The AP-7 runs about 2.8 km from the centre, with motorway junction 743 about 3 km away. That makes motorway access a meaningful advantage for regional journeys, although these distances are not journey times. Rail is less immediate. The nearest station, Callosa de Segura, is about **10 km from the centre**. Anyone planning a rail-based commute needs to account for reaching the station as well as the onward service; Algorfa is not a walk-to-the-train location. Alicante-Elche Airport is about 31 km away in a straight line. This helps explain the municipality’s appeal as an international base, but the figure should not be read as a road distance or an indication of transfer time. For working households, the journey from a particular home to work, school and shops matters more than regional proximity alone. ### Sun, noise and flood checks in Algorfa The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas shown in Spain’s national mapping for the supplied return periods, including the 500-year scenario. That is useful information for the centre, not a guarantee covering every property in the municipality. Likewise, the centre is outside the strategic noise contours supplied for major transport infrastructure and large urban areas. Those maps do not establish whether a home is quiet: local traffic, nearby activity and building insulation still require attention. Terrain-based sunlight figures show about 8 hours 36 minutes of direct sun at the centre on 21 December, rising to about 13 hours 18 minutes on 21 June. Buildings and trees are excluded, so a particular terrace or living room may receive considerably less. ### Moving to Algorfa: who it suits and what to check Algorfa is worth considering for retirees, golf enthusiasts and households seeking an inland Alicante base rather than a coastal resort. Its small population and agricultural setting are central to that choice; road access helps connect it to a much wider area. Before committing to an address, check the actual route to groceries, healthcare, schools and public transport, alongside internet availability if working remotely. Visit at different times to assess noise, shade and surrounding activity. Above all, distinguish between the municipality’s overall appeal and the practical experience of living at that particular property. ## Where Algorfa is Algorfa is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (INE municipality code 03012). The centre lies at about 90 m above sea level, on a slope. - Province: Alicante - Autonomous community: Comunitat Valenciana - INE code: 03012 - Elevation of the centre: 90 m ## Population Algorfa had 3,788 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (+21.2 % over five years), according to the municipal register (padrón). The mean age is 50.5 years; 34.0 % of residents are 65 or older; 13.3 % are under 18 (2024). The average household has 2.2 people. Average net income is €11,986 per person and €27,863 per household a year (2024, INE household income atlas, based on tax records). - Residents (1 Jan 2025): 3,788 - Change over five years: +21.2 % - Mean age: 50.5 years - Net income per person (2024): €11,986 ## Housing: prices, rents and purchase taxes In Comunitat Valenciana, house prices changed by +13.0 % over the last year (resale homes: +13.8 %) and by +54.5 % over five years, according to the INE house price index (IPV) for 2026Q2. The index is only published per autonomous community and does not give prices per square metre. Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. Algorfa is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. - House prices, year on year (Comunitat Valenciana): +13.0 % - House prices, five years: +54.5 % - Transfer tax (ITP), resale: 9 % - Stressed rental area: no ## Everyday life and amenities Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 3 restaurants and 1 café. The nearest railway station (Callosa de Segura) is about 10.1 km from the centre. ## Noise and traffic The AP-7 runs about 2.8 km from the centre. The nearest railway line is about 10.0 km from the centre. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alicante-Elche (ALC), about 31 km in a straight line. The centre is not inside any noise contour of the strategic noise maps (European Environment Agency, 2022); the maps only cover major roads, railways, airports and large urban areas, so this is no guarantee of quiet. ## Natural hazards The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Algorfa has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.16 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 59 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). Radon: the radon potential map of Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) puts the area at 101-200 Bq/m³ (P90, class 2 of 5), below the 300 Bq/m³ reference level. Actual indoor levels depend on the building; only a measurement gives certainty. No landslides or other ground movements are documented within 2 km of the centre (IGME BDMoves inventory). - Flood area at the centre: none mapped - Seismic acceleration (NCSE-02): 0.16 g - Radon potential (P90): 101-200 Bq/m³ ## Connections and internet The nearest motorway junction (exit 743) is about 3.0 km from the centre. 99 % of households in Algorfa can get fibre to the home (FTTH) and 97 % at least 1 Gbit/s; 5G reaches 97 % (operator data, 2025). Coverage can differ from street to street. ## Climate and sun On 21 December the centre gets about 8:36 h of direct sun, on 21 June about 13:18 h (terrain only; buildings and trees not included). A solar PV system at the optimal tilt yields about 1,680 kWh per kWp a year here (PVGIS). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a flood risk in Algorfa? The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### What purchase tax do you pay when buying a home in Algorfa? Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Algorfa a stressed rental market area? Algorfa is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Algorfa in an earthquake zone? Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Algorfa has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.16 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 59 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### How many people live in Algorfa? Algorfa had 3,788 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (INE). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Are there schools and shops in Algorfa? Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 3 restaurants and 1 café. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ## Sources - Photon geocoder (OpenStreetMap data) (komoot / OpenStreetMap contributors; ODbL 1.0): https://photon.komoot.io - CartoCiudad reverse geocoding (municipio, provincia, comunidad autónoma) (Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) / CNIG, CartoCiudad; CC BY 4.0; data 2025-02): https://www.cartociudad.es/geocoder/api/geocoder - INE: Padrón municipal (population), Atlas de distribución de renta de los hogares (ADRH: demographics, income) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data padrón 1 Jan 2025; ADRH 2024): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177088&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976608 - INE Índice de Precios de Vivienda (IPV, base 2025, by comunidad autónoma) and Índice de Precios de Vivienda en Alquiler (IPVA, by municipality) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data 2020Q3-2026Q2): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736152838&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976607 - OpenStreetMap via OpenFreeMap vector tiles (OpenMapTiles schema) (OpenStreetMap contributors; tiles: OpenFreeMap (fallback VersaTiles); ODbL 1.0 (OpenStreetMap data); OpenMapTiles schema CC BY 4.0; data 2026-11-01): https://openfreemap.org/ - Transitous stop index (MOTIS 2 map/stops) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences; data 2026-11-09): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Transitous public transport routing (MOTIS 2) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences, OSM ODbL; data 2026-11-10): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Strategic noise maps (Environmental Noise Directive, round 2022), EEA noise contours (European Environment Agency (EEA), data reported by the member states; EEA standard re-use policy (CC BY 4.0); data 2022): https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/noise - Purchase taxes (ITP by comunidad autónoma; IVA / AJD) and stressed rental zones (Ley 12/2023), static tables (Regional tax laws (BOE / regional gazettes); Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana, quarterly BOE resolutions; Official legal texts (BOE: free reuse, Real Decreto 1495/2011); data 2026-11-04): https://www.boe.es/ - SNCZI flood hazard maps T10/T100/T500 (fluvial) and T500 (coastal), INSPIRE WMS (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO), served by the IDEE / IGN; CC BY 4.0): https://sig.miteco.gob.es/snczi/ - BDMoves landslide inventory and Mapa de Movimientos del Terreno 1:1,000,000 (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC); CC BY 4.0): https://mapas.igme.es/gis/rest/services/BasesDatos/IGME_BDMoves_ES/MapServer - NCSE-02 seismic code, Annex 1 (basic acceleration per municipality); EMSC earthquake catalogue (FDSN event service) (Ministerio de Fomento / IGN (NCSE-02, BOE); European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC); BOE: free reuse; EMSC data policy (free use with attribution); data 2000-2026): https://www.seismicportal.eu/ - Mapa del potencial de radón de España (P90 classes), republished in the SIU (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN); service: Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana (SIU); CSN / MIVAU open data (reuse with attribution)): https://www.csn.es/mapa-del-potencial-de-radon-en-espana - Cobertura de banda ancha en España, by municipality (FTTH, ≥ 100 Mbit/s, ≥ 1 Gbit/s, 4G, 5G) (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública, Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales; Public sector information, free reuse with attribution (Ley 37/2007, RD 1495/2011; datos.gob.es); data 2025-06-30): https://digital.gob.es/telecomunicaciones-infraestructuras-digitales/areas-interes/banda-ancha/informacion-cobertura - Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (30 m surface model, read live) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - Terrain horizon + sun path, computed from Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (radius 20 km) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - PVGIS 5.3 PVcalc (1 kWp, crystalline Si, 14 % losses, optimal angles) (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC); EC reuse notice (Decision 2011/833/EU), reuse incl. commercial with acknowledgement; data PVGIS-SARAH3 2005-2023): https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/ --- What is it like at your address? Create a report for your exact address: https://www.place-check.com/es?address=Algorfa