Torrevieja BEZ złudzeń: Polskie miasto na Costa Blanca i jego biznesowe oblicze

Sunshine 320 days a year, warm seas, and property prices still lower than in many regions of Europe. Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca attracts investors and tourists, and Poles are increasingly treating it as a second home. Justyna Gaj Skowronek, founder of easyspain, discusses what life and doing business in this Spanish city is really like in Tomasz Sańpruch's podcast "Foreign Expansion Office." A City Poles Love Torrevieja has around 100,000 permanent residents, but during the peak holiday season, that number jumps to as much as one million. Thousands of Poles have bought apartments here – some for vacations, others as investments. Polish can be heard on the streets, in shops, and in restaurants. Some call Torrevieja "the heart of Spain," others see it as a safe haven – both for retirement and business. "It wasn't love at first sight," admits Justyna Gaj Skowronek. "But the climate, attractive prices, and the fact that you can run a business here without excessive bureaucracy won out." A Business Born of Need Justyna and her husband had been investing in Spanish real estate for over a decade. Over time, she noticed a lack of reliable apartment management companies. This is how easyspain was born – a company that manages holiday apartments on behalf of foreign investors, taking care of both tourist rentals and long-term investment returns. "It started with my own frustration," she says. "I bought an apartment, and it was difficult to find someone remotely to take care of it reliably. I thought, if I have this problem, others do too. I decided to create a solution." Spain is not just about fiestas and siestas Although many associate Spain with a laid-back atmosphere, running a business here requires planning, consistency, and knowledge of local realities. Formally, setting up a company is simple, contributions are lower than in Poland, and taxes are progressive. On the other hand, the work style is different: slower, more based on relationships and coffee meetings. Torrevieja is also a city of contrasts. On the one hand, there are beaches, fiestas, and a rich cultural life. On the other, there's the humdrum of apartment blocks, problems with dishonest contractors, and a distinct "mañana" mentality. The market is still growing. Is it still worth investing in real estate on the Costa Blanca? According to Justyna, yes, provided the decisions are well-considered. Apartment prices are rising by an average of 3-4% annually, and demand is driven not only by Poles but also by Scandinavians and Germans. "The key is a smart purchase – a good location, a standard, and a price that doesn't exceed the investor's realistic capabilities," she emphasizes. Paradise or not? The "Foreign Expansion Office" podcast shows Torrevieja without the postcard filter. It's a place that offers enormous opportunities, but also requires common sense and a tolerance for local pitfalls. For some, it's a vacation paradise, for others, a potential investment opportunity. "I don't regret a single day of moving here," says Justyna Gaj Skowronek. "I only regret that it happened so late." Restaurant recommendations from Justyna: Restaurante Oryza Cabo Cervera https://maps.app.goo.gl/peG6rakwdop2X... The Lobster Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fw9HctGmdFs2F... Asia Kitchen Restaurante https://maps.app.goo.gl/ktxoBWURK7tuQ... Patio Andaluz https://maps.app.goo.gl/RKj2rwdL8qnAJ... Restaurante Barlovento https://maps.app.goo.gl/v7qgtuB84h1Ba... Restaurante Asiatico Boracay Torrevieja https://share.google/aVD1f35F2bgQs3Kkv