A second home on the Spanish coast is a dream for many northern Europeans. But the moment you fly back, your house stays empty for weeks or months. That makes your property attractive to burglars — especially in seasonal neighbourhoods where many homes sit unoccupied at the same time. Here are 7 practical tips, based on what we see daily around Rojales.
1. Make it visually unappealing
Burglars take the path of least resistance. Visible cameras at the front door, a security-company sticker on the window, and good lighting at entrances already deter 60–70% of opportunistic thieves. Investment: minimal. Effect: huge.
2. Always go wireless and with back-up
Power sometimes fails on the Costa Blanca. So does internet. A wireless alarm system with battery back-up and a 4G module keeps running — even if someone deliberately cuts the power or WiFi. Ask your installer explicitly for this feature; it's often a small extra cost for a lot of certainty.
3. Connect all windows and shutters to the system
We often see only the front door and large patio door secured. In practice burglars come in through first-floor bathroom windows or a basement window. Ask for magnetic sensors on every opening — not just the obvious ones.
4. Use cameras with person detection, not motion detection
Motion detection floods you with alerts from cats, birds and swaying palm trees. Eventually you ignore every alert. Modern cameras with AI person detection only report humans — that saves dozens of false alerts a day and keeps you alert when it truly matters.
5. Engage a property manager or neighbour
Good tech doesn't replace a human eye. Give a trusted neighbour or manager access to the app so they receive alerts too while you're abroad. On a real alert they can be on-site in 5 minutes — far faster than any monitoring centre.
6. Make it look occupied
Smart plugs with random timers for lamps, a radio that runs two hours each evening, automatic shutters opening at varied times — small investments that make your home appear lived-in. Combine this with your alarm via a home-automation app.
7. Schedule annual maintenance
Sensors get dirty, batteries die, software ages. A simple annual maintenance contract ensures your system works 100% when it matters. The cost is minimal (often €100–€150 per year), the peace of mind enormous — especially when you're 1,500 km away.
Finally: pick a local partner
On a fault or question, you want someone you can call who understands your situation and answers in your own language. Buying online and self-installing seems cheap, but the moment anything goes wrong you're on your own. We only work within 75 km of Rojales precisely so we can be on-site quickly when needed.
A free advisory visit at your home costs nothing and often produces surprising insights. Feel free to schedule one.