Costa Brava property: pension from Switzerland, €318,500 for an apartment in L'Escala
A former head teacher from Switzerland was looking, after entering retirement, for a permanently usable apartment in L'Escala. Important were a lift, a generous terrace and a quiet residential setting with good access to doctors, shops and the beach promenade.
Does the Spanish bank co-finance modernisation of an apartment in L'Escala?
No, as a rule the Spanish bank does not co-finance modernisation. It belongs in the overall plan, from equity or by raising capital against German property. In this case the financing was around 70 % of the purchase price, and the low-barrier bathroom, new kitchen, terrace shading and air conditioning were covered from equity, not by the bank loan.
Flat €455,000, modernisation €40,400, loan €318,500
The apartment in L'Escala cost 455,000 € and the renovation 40,400 €. The financing required was 318,500 € and the equity 231,500 €.
Keeping reserves for retirement or unforeseen expenses: Many buyers do not want to tie up all their capital in a property but keep reserves for retirement or unforeseen expenses.
Arranged by Perini Finance & Property: Perini Finance & Property — German-speaking, operating under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina, Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary; 30+ banks approached per case. First call free; on completion 1 % of the loan amount.
Purchase price: 455,000 €; Renovation: 40,400 €; Financing required: 318,500 €; Equity: 231,500 €.
Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO
Typical, anonymised case. Names, places and individual financing figures have been adjusted to protect privacy. The process reflects a typical advisory situation for non-resident financing in Spain.
Property for sale in L'Escala: a new chapter of life by the sea: L'Escala combines Mediterranean flair with an established infrastructure and is one of the popular places to live on the Costa Brava for people who want to spend their retirement permanently in Spain. Modern or subsequently adapted apartments with short distances to the beach and the town centre are especially popular with German-speaking buyers.
Retirement in L'Escala, flat with lift and terrace
The apartment she found largely met these requirements but was to be modernised for age-appropriate living before moving in.
€550,000 total investment, €54,600 in purchase fees: Purchase price: 455,000 €; Additional costs: 54,600 €; Renovation: 40,400 €; Total investment: 550,000 €; Equity: 231,500 €; Financing required: 318,500 €.
Keeping a retirement reserve, converting before moving in
Although sufficient assets were available, not all of the capital was to be used for the purchase. Part of the assets was to remain as a reserve for retirement. At the same time, it was important to carry out all planned adaptations before moving in, in order to avoid later building work.
In retirement, leeway matters more than a small loan: For buyers in retirement, long-term financial planning often plays a greater role than the lowest possible loan amount. What matters is that, alongside the purchase, enough financial flexibility remains for the new chapter of life.
The financing corresponded to around 70 % of the purchase price and was aligned with the entire investment. This allowed both the acquisition costs and the planned modernisation to be sensibly integrated into the overall concept.
Step-free bath and shower, new kitchen, terrace shading
The overall plan took all intended measures into account immediately after the purchase — covered from equity, not by the bank loan:
conversion of the bathroom to a low-barrier design; installation of level-access showers; new fitted kitchen with ergonomic planning; electric terrace shading; energy-efficient air conditioning; modern LED lighting in all living areas.
Once the work was completed, the apartment could be occupied permanently without further restrictions.
Flat fully usable at once, assets still available: The buyer moved to L'Escala as planned and was able to use the property fully immediately after the modernisation was complete. Thanks to the balanced financing, a considerable part of her assets remained available at the same time, without later conversions or additional financing being required.
Plan comfort and step-free access before you buy: Anyone planning retirement on the Costa Brava should consider necessary adaptations for comfort and accessibility before the purchase. If these measures are integrated directly into the overall plan — covered from equity, not by the bank loan — neither additional organisational burdens nor unexpected financing gaps arise after moving in.
L'Escala apartment: reserves secure a relaxed retirement
Buying an apartment in L'Escala shows how a well-considered overall plan goes far beyond the purchase price itself — the bank loan for the purchase price, costs and modernisation from equity. Anyone who takes modernisation, additional costs and sufficient financial reserves into account from the start creates a stable basis for a relaxed retirement on the Costa Brava.
A similar situation in Spain? Let's talk. Every financing in Spain is an individual case. In a free initial consultation we will tell you honestly what is feasible and which bank fits.
Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Brokerage under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina (D-W-132-ZUCB-95); Siegfried Perini registered as directly involved person (§11a GewO) · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank
Similar cases by region and price band: Cases with a comparable region and price band — for context, not a promise of the same outcome.
Terraced house in Platja d'Aro — family of four: An engineer and a doctor move to Spain with their two children. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing. §34i.
Frequently asked questions
Which modernisations are especially common for apartments in L'Escala?
Alongside kitchens and bathrooms, air conditioning, shading, lighting, low-barrier adaptations and energy-efficient windows are among the most common measures.
Is L'Escala suitable as a permanent residence?
Yes. The town has good infrastructure, medical care, shopping and year-round living quality that makes it attractive to many German-speaking expatriates.
How high was the total investment for the apartment in L'Escala, and how much of it was financed?
The total investment was 550,000 €: purchase price 455,000 €, additional costs 54,600 € and renovation 40,400 €. The financing required was 318,500 €, around 70 % of the purchase price, and the equity was 231,500 €.
Related pages
Practical case Fuerteventura: Bungalow in Caleta de Fuste
Low-barrier living for retirement
Loulé: Financing a townhouse near the old town for a new home
Not every permanent residence on the Algarve has to be right by the sea.
Townhouse in Empuriabrava — self-employed developer
A self-employed software developer moves permanently to the water. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing. §34i.
Apartment in Roses at 60+ — renovation planned in
Moving in their early sixties, renovation planned in from the start. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing in Spain. §34i.
Detached house in Lloret de Mar — case report
A couple from Stuttgart, both working remotely in IT, move permanently to Lloret de Mar. Anonymised case report Costa Brava.
Content by Siegfried Perini — local brand representative since 2019, active in real estate since 1992, entered in the German intermediary register (§ 11a GewO) as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice. Point of contact for German-speaking buyers in Spain and Portugal. Brokerage by Olga Nikushkina, mortgage credit intermediary under § 34i German Trade Regulation (GewO); in Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary.