How to Protect Your Spanish Home from Burglary During Long Absences

If you own a home in Spain – perhaps a holiday villa on the Costa Blanca or a retreat on the Costa Cálida – you know how wonderful it is to escape there. But what about when you’re away for months at a time? For many British and European second-home owners, long absences are the norm, especially over winter. That leaves your property vulnerable to burglary. How do you keep it safe, even when you’re not around?

In this article, we’ll show you how to protect your Spanish home from burglary during long absences. We’ll share practical tips and explain how our Hikvision AX PRO alarm system gives you peace of mind without tying you to expensive subscriptions or control rooms. Whether you’re gone for a few months or only visit in summer, the right security means you’ll return without worry.

Why Long Absences Are a Risk

An empty home is a goldmine for burglars. Spain’s Guardia Civil notes that second homes in coastal areas like Alicante, Murcia, and Málaga are prime targets, especially outside peak tourist seasons. Why? There’s little neighborhood watch – nearby homes might be vacant too – and an unoccupied house gives itself away fast: no lights, shut blinds, an overflowing mailbox. For burglars, it’s a sign they can work undisturbed.

As a second-home owner, you might be away for months – often from October to April. That’s plenty of time for burglars to strike. A traditional lock or an alarm that only triggers once someone’s inside won’t help. You need a proactive system that protects your home, even when you’re back in the UK or elsewhere.

The Downsides of Standard Security During Long Absences

Many rely on basic security: a few locks, an indoor motion sensor, or a system from a traditional provider like Securitas Direct. But during long absences, these fall short:

• Too late: An indoor alarm only activates after a burglar’s inside – your windows or doors are likely already damaged.
• Control room risks: Subscription systems cost €40-€60 monthly, but there’s no guarantee. With jamming (signal interference), alerts don’t reach the control room, and often no one follows up. More on these limits at our control room myths page.
• No control: Without direct alerts, you’re in the dark about your home while you’re away.

For a home sitting empty for months, you need more than a standard fix. You want to stop burglars before they get in and keep control, no matter where you are.

Outdoor Detection: Your First Line of Defense

The best way to protect your Spanish home during long absences is outdoor detection. Our Hikvision AX PRO system uses Optex sensors placed outside, detecting motion up to 12 meters away. When someone steps onto your property, a loud siren sounds, and you get an alert on your smartphone via the Hik-Connect app – even if you’re in the UK.

How powerful this is shows in real footage of a burglary attempt we stopped. See it on our outdoor detection page – note this links to our detailed explanation, as the specific video page isn’t fully translated yet. A burglar hops a fence, but at the first blast of the siren, he flees – before touching the house. That’s prevention in action.

Benefits of outdoor detection during long absences:

• Instant deterrence: Burglars bolt at the first sound, knowing they’re out of time.
• No damage: Your windows and doors stay intact since they don’t get close.
• Always on: The system works 24/7, even when you’re away for months.

No Subscription, Full Control

Many security firms like Securitas Direct push systems with control rooms and monthly fees. But for long absences, that’s often wasted money. Control rooms are slow to respond – if they do at all – and with signal jamming, you’re unprotected anyway. Plus, you’re paying €40-€60 a month, adding up to €2,400-€3,600 over five years. That’s not smart for a home you only use part-time. More on these pitfalls at our misleading claims page.

With our Hikvision AX PRO system, you skip the subscription. Pay once – say €699 for Starter Package C with outdoor detection – and get instant phone alerts. No control room, no extra costs, just a system that always works. Check our options on our packages page.

Reliability, Even Without Internet

In Spain’s coastal or remote areas, internet isn’t always reliable, especially when you’re away. Power cuts happen too, particularly in winter. Our Hikvision system is ready for that. With a 4G SIM card backup, your security stays online without Wi-Fi. The built-in battery keeps it running for up to 16 hours during an outage. And the sensor batteries? They last up to 7 years.

This makes it ideal for long absences – no need to rely on shaky connections or a control room that won’t help. Learn why we chose Hikvision at our about us page – note we don’t yet have a specific English Hikvision page, but this covers our approach.

Extra Tips for Long Absences

Beyond a solid alarm system, here are simple tricks to keep your home safer when you’re away:

• Look lived-in: Use timers to randomly turn lights on and off.
• Clear hiding spots: Trim bushes around your home so burglars can’t hide.
• Warning signs: Our packages include an A4 sign – place it prominently.
• Neighbor help: Ask a neighbor or friend to empty your mailbox and keep an eye out.

Pair this with outdoor detection, and your home’s a fortress – even when you’re not there.

How to Choose the Right System

The perfect alarm system for long absences depends on your setup. Here’s the plan:

1. Assess your home: How big’s your property? Close neighbors or isolated?
2. Go for outdoor detection: It’s a must for max protection when you’re away.
3. Check internet: No Wi-Fi? Opt for 4G backup.
4. Schedule installation: Our team sets it up in one day. Book via our appointment page.

For a cost estimate, try our cost calculator. More questions? Our FAQ has answers.

Conclusion: Peace of Mind, Wherever You Are

Long absences don’t have to put your Spanish home at risk. With a system like our Hikvision AX PRO – featuring outdoor detection, no subscriptions, and instant alerts – you keep your property safe, even when you’re away for months. Skip the costly control rooms and misleading offers – you deserve real security that works. At Best Alarm System, we blend top tech with reliable service. Learn more on our overview page or explore our offerings.