Improved airport access, promised by a new preliminary deal between Spain and the UK on the future of Gibraltar, will boost the property market in Costa de la Luz, experts announced on July 29th. The recent consensus reached by Spain, Britain and Gibraltar over the political status of The Rock will provide “the biggest single boost” to the emerging property market of Costa de a Luz and the western end of the Costa del Sol.

The three governments have announced that they have come to an understanding over Gibraltar’s airport, pensions for Spaniards living in the British colony, telephones and the transit zone of The Rock.

The result of the negotiations will see Spain and the UK share use of Gibraltar airport, allowing second home owners and tourists easier access to their Costa de la Luz properties. The recent move combined with plans for  a new Disney resort close to Gibraltar are clear signals that now is the time for property investment.

In 2002, almost 99 percent of Gibraltarians voted against Britain giving Spain a share of sovereignty of the rock, despite the fact that many traders live across the border in Spain and commute daily to their shops and offices. Telecommunications and the transit zone between Spain and Gibraltar are to be improved under the new deal which will undoubtedly boost the economies of Gibraltar.

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana will attend a three-way meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Europe Minister Geoff Hoon in Spain on September 18. It will be the first time Gibraltar's top official has represented the rock at such a high-level meeting with Spain.

The Costa de la Luz,  or the Coast of Light, is the 300km coastline on the Atlantic side of southern Spain. Running from Ayamonte to the Straits of Gibraltar, the coast is geographically divided into two sections: the Huelva Province, which takes in the western half including the Coto Doñana national park, and the Cadiz Province, which stretches from the River Guadalquivir to the mouth of the Mediterranean sea.

It may be neighbours with the Costa del Sol, but the Costa de la Luz couldn'’t be more different. Its golden beaches are long, wide, wild, often deserted – and more likely to be backed by sand dunes or pine trees than high-rise apartment blocks.
Because 30% of the region is a protected area, it has remained quiet and undeveloped, with most visitors tending to spend short breaks in the beautiful cities of Seville or Jerez rather than explore lesser known towns of equal beauty such as Vejer de la Frontera or Medina Sidonia.

Now, however, the coast and nearby inland areas, particularly near the Portuguese border, are seeing increasing development as tourists and house hunters realise the potential of this beautiful nature lovers' region.

The Costa de la Luz has been emerging as a favourite amongst property experts over the last year and has recently been tipped as a property hotspot by British Broadsheets The Telegraph and The Independent. The region has been overshadowed in terms of investment, development and tourism by its neighbour, the Costa del Sol, but in recent years the Costa de la Luz has started to generate interest for many investors and holiday home owners.

While property prices in established resorts such as Conil de la Frontera, and sought-after historic towns such as Vejer de la Frontera, have risen considerably over the past few years, new, growing areas such as Islantilla near Ayamonte or Chiclana near Cadiz offer first-time investors good value for money. With apartments available from around 100,000 euros and beautiful beaches, golf and unspoilt countryside on the doorstep, there has never been a better time to buy on the Costa de la Luz.