Renovating a Swimming Pool on the Costa Blanca

Renovating a swimming pool on the Costa Blanca usually means resurfacing the shell, upgrading the filtration and equipment, and rethinking the coping and terrace around it. In some cases it also means changing the character of the pool entirely, for example converting a skimmer pool to an overflow or infinity edge. As a broad indication, pool refurbishment on the Costa Blanca in 2026 runs at roughly €15,000–€60,000+ depending on scope, excluding VAT, fees and taxes, and only a survey and an itemised budget can tell you what your pool will cost.

Many villas built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s have pools that still hold water but look dated, use more energy and chemicals than they need to, and sit on terraces that no longer suit the way owners live. Here is what the main options involve.

Start with a survey

Before choosing finishes, a pool specialist should assess the shell, the pipework and the equipment. The key questions are whether the structure is sound, whether there are leaks, and whether the existing plant room, pump and filter are worth keeping. The answers decide what is sensible to spend on the visible parts.

Leaks

Losing some water to evaporation in summer is normal. Persistent losses beyond that, damp patches in the plant room or nearby walls, cracks in the shell or tiles that keep coming loose suggest a leak. Specialists can pressure-test pipework and use dye or acoustic detection to locate it. Fix leaks before resurfacing: a new finish over a leaking shell or failing pipework only hides the problem until it becomes more expensive.

Resurfacing options

Finish	Character	Points to consider
Gresite glass mosaic	Classic, shimmering, wide colour range	Durable when well laid; grout and adhesive quality matter; many small joints
Large-format porcelain	Clean, architectural, fewer joints	Needs a pool-rated product and careful installation on a flat, stable base
Microcement	Continuous, soft, contemporary look	Depends heavily on the installer and on a suitable pool-rated system; maintenance needs to be understood
Reinforced PVC liner	Practical, fully waterproof membrane	Good for older shells with minor cracking; a different look and feel from tiles

Colour matters as much as material. Light sand, stone or pale grey finishes give the soft turquoise many owners associate with the Mediterranean; darker finishes make the water look deeper and suit some contemporary designs, but warm up more in summer sun.

Converting to an overflow or infinity edge

A skimmer pool keeps the water level a few centimetres below the edge. An overflow pool (piscina desbordante) brings the water right up to the coping, with water spilling into a perimeter channel. An infinity edge lets water flow over one side into a hidden catch basin, so the surface appears to meet the view.

On the sloping plots common in Jávea, Altea Hills, Benissa or Moraira, an infinity edge can be striking. The conversion is a substantial job: it usually means cutting and rebuilding part of the shell, creating a balance tank, changing the hydraulics and often the plant room. It needs careful structural assessment, and in many municipalities it will require a licence.

Equipment upgrades

Saltwater chlorination

A salt electrolysis system produces chlorine from lightly salted water, which many owners find gentler on skin and eyes and easier to manage than adding chlorine by hand. It still needs pH control and regular checks, and metals around the pool need to be suited to a salt environment.

Heat pumps

An air-source heat pump can extend the swimming season into spring and autumn efficiently. Combine it with a good cover to reduce heat loss overnight. If you are also looking at solar PV for the house, the two can work well together. Our page on energy upgrades covers this in more detail.

Variable-speed pumps and filtration

Replacing an old single-speed pump with a variable-speed model, and updating the filter, is often one of the most practical upgrades for running costs and noise.

LED lighting

LED lights use much less energy than older halogen fittings and allow warm white or colour settings. Placement matters: a few well-positioned lights on the far wall usually look better than many lights pointing towards the house.

Safety

Think about who will use the pool, including visiting children and grandchildren. Options include fencing, safety covers, alarms and non-slip finishes on steps and surrounds. Rental properties may have additional requirements, so check with the town hall and your insurer.

Coping and terraces

The coping and terrace are what you see most, and often what dates a pool most. Natural stone works well in this climate when chosen carefully:

• Travertine stays relatively cool underfoot and has a soft, warm character.
• Limestone in pale tones gives a calm, refined finish, but needs a variety rated for exterior and pool use.
• Sandstone and local stones can tie the pool to existing walls and terracing.

Specify a non-slip finish such as brushed, tumbled or sandblasted, and check that falls and drainage take water away from the pool and the house, particularly given the heavy autumn rain episodes the coast can experience. Shade, an outdoor kitchen or a pergola can make the pool area a real outdoor room. See our page on outdoor living for ideas.

Permits

Permit requirements for pool works vary considerably between municipalities. Simple resurfacing and equipment replacement may go through a declaración responsable, while structural changes, enlarging the pool or converting to an infinity edge are often treated as major works needing a licence and a technical project. New pools need a licencia de obra mayor in many towns. If the property is close to the shore, the Ley de Costas may also apply. Always check with the ayuntamiento, or ask your pool specialist or architect to confirm the route.

Timing

Plan pool renovations for autumn, winter or early spring. Many tourist municipalities and urbanisations restrict noisy works in July and August, specialists are busiest just before summer, and finishes such as microcement and some adhesives perform best outside the hottest months. Depending on scope, a resurfacing job may take a few weeks, while a conversion to an infinity edge with new terraces takes considerably longer, plus licensing time.

Coordinating the pool with the rest of the villa

Pool renovation sits between construction, hydraulics and landscape, so whoever carries it out should do this work regularly. It also rarely happens in isolation: the terrace, outdoor lighting, the plant room, drainage, planting and often the house itself are being renovated at the same time. If you are hiring separately, someone needs to sequence the pool specialist, the builder and the landscaper so that one does not undo the other’s work.

In a luxury villa renovation, that coordination is part of the project. CostaVeyra manages complete villa renovations on the Costa Blanca, and treats the pool as one part of a single design: we define the scope and budget, coordinate the permits and the pool works delivered by our selected specialists alongside the house and garden, and report progress with photos and video until handover. Our pool renovations service page explains what is typically involved, and our article on where to spend your villa renovation budget looks at how the pool fits into wider priorities.

In short

• Survey the shell, pipework and equipment first, and fix any leaks before resurfacing.
• Choose between gresite, porcelain, microcement or liner based on the shell’s condition and the look you want.
• Saltwater chlorination, a heat pump, a variable-speed pump and LED lighting can make the pool more pleasant and efficient.
• Overflow and infinity conversions are substantial works and often need a licence.
• Plan the work outside summer, using the indicative range of €15,000–€60,000+ as a starting point only.