Everything you need to know about buying on the Costa del Sol

Yes, absolutely. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Spain, regardless of whether you are an EU citizen or not. Spain actively welcomes foreign buyers and the process is well established and straightforward when you have the right guidance.

The main requirement is obtaining an NIE number — a Spanish tax identification number — which is needed to complete any property purchase. This is a simple process that I will help you navigate as part of my service.

Many of my clients complete their purchase without ever having lived in Spain full time — and some even buy remotely without visiting in person.

The best place on the Costa del Sol depends on your lifestyle, budget, and what you're looking for. Here's a quick overview of the most popular areas:

Marbella & Golden Mile — Glamorous and upscale with excellent beaches and restaurants. Ideal if you want luxury and vibrancy.

Mijas Costa & Calahonda — Relaxed, green areas with padel & golf courses and sea views. Popular with those who want a quieter, residential feel while staying close to everything.

Estepona — Overall slower pace. Beautiful old town, long sandy beaches, and a great mix of modern and traditional charm. Offers very good value.

Benalmádena & Fuengirola — Lively, family-friendly towns with plenty of services, international communities, and easy access to Málaga airport. More affordable options.

Nerja & Eastern Costa del Sol — Picturesque, traditional Spanish villages with dramatic cliffs and beautiful coves. More peaceful and often better value.

The right area for you depends on your lifestyle, budget and priorities. This is one of the first things we talk through together.

Yes, you can buy property in Spain remotely without visiting.

The process is handled through a Power of Attorney granted to your Spanish lawyer, allowing them to sign contracts and the final deed on your behalf.

As your local real estate agent on the Costa del Sol, I manage viewings (via video and virtual tours), negotiations, document coordination, and communication with the seller and lawyer — making the remote purchase smooth and straightforward.

While fully remote buying is common and safe with proper legal support, many buyers still choose to visit at least once before or after completion.

I regularly assist international clients with remote purchases. Feel free to contact me for more details.

Yes — and I would never recommend buying without one. A Spanish lawyer is essential to protect your interests throughout the buying process. They will carry out due diligence on the property, check for outstanding debts or legal issues, review all contracts, and guide you through the completion process.

The cost of a good Spanish lawyer is typically around 1% of the purchase price or a fixed fee of €2,000–€3,000 + IVA.

I work with trusted, independent lawyers on the Costa del Sol and am happy to recommend one.

When buying a property in Andalusia (Costa del Sol), you should budget for additional costs on top of the advertised price. These typically total 9–11% for resale properties and 12–14% for new-build properties.

For resale (second-hand) properties:
ITP (Property Transfer Tax) — 7% of the purchase price (or the official reference value if higher). This is the biggest cost.

For new-build properties:
IVA (VAT) — 10% of the purchase price.
AJD (Stamp Duty) — Approximately 1.2% of the purchase price.

Other costs (apply to both):
Notary fees — €600–€1,500 (regulated, depends on property value).
Land Registry fees — €400–€800.
Legal fees (lawyer/gestor) — Usually around 1% + VAT.

Quick summary: Resale property — roughly 9–11% on top. New-build — roughly 12–14% on top.

A reservation contract (Contrato de Reserva) is the first formal step when buying a property in Spain.

You pay a small reservation deposit (typically €6,000) to take the property off the market for a short period (usually 7–30 days). This prevents the seller from accepting other offers while your lawyer carries out initial checks and prepares the next contract.

It is a relatively low-commitment document that gives you time to do due diligence with your lawyer and arrange financing if needed.

Once the reservation period ends, you move on to the more binding 10% deposit contract (Contrato de Arras).

Immediate next step (within 1–2 weeks): Your lawyer carries out due diligence — verifying the seller's ownership, checking for debts or liens, reviewing building licences, energy certificate, and community fees, and confirming the cadastral value and reference value.

Signing the Contrato de Arras: Once the initial checks are satisfactory, you sign the more formal deposit contract. You pay 10% of the purchase price (minus the reservation deposit already paid). This is usually non-refundable — if you withdraw you lose the 10%. If the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit.

Completion at the notary: Usually 4–12 weeks after the reservation, you sign the public deed (Escritura) at the notary. You pay the remaining 90% + taxes and costs. Ownership is officially transferred and the property is registered in your name.

Important: Have an independent lawyer along the whole process.

There are usually three stages of payments:

1. Reservation Deposit (Reserva) — A small initial payment to take the property off the market, typically €6,000. Often refundable if the purchase does not proceed (must be clearly stated in the document).

2. 10% Deposit (Contrato de Arras) — After the reservation, you sign a private purchase contract and pay 10% of the purchase price (minus the reservation deposit). Normally non-refundable if you pull out without valid reason.

3. Final Payment (at the notary) — The remaining 90% plus all taxes and legal costs is paid when you sign the public deed (escritura) at the notary.

Yes, Spanish banks do lend to non-residents and foreigners, although the conditions are stricter than for Spanish residents.

As a non-resident, you can typically borrow up to 60–70% of the property's appraised value (compared to up to 80% for residents). The actual amount depends on the bank's valuation. You will need to provide proof of stable income, recent bank statements, tax returns from your home country, and other financial documents. The approval process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, so it's best to start early.

I work with trusted, independent mortgage brokers who specialise in non-resident mortgages. In most cases, their service is free for the buyer — they are paid a commission by the bank. They compare offers from multiple banks and can often secure better terms. I'm happy to introduce you to the right broker for your situation.

For resale (second-hand) properties:
ITP (Property Transfer Tax) — 7% of the purchase price (or the official reference value if higher). This rate has been in place since 2021.

For new-build properties:
IVA (VAT) — 10% of the purchase price.
AJD (Stamp Duty) — Approximately 1.2% of the purchase price.

Taxes are calculated on the higher of the declared purchase price or the official "reference value" set by the tax authorities. Overall tax impact is typically around 7% for resale and about 11.2% for new builds.

Exact amounts should always be confirmed by your lawyer or tax advisor based on the specific property.

IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) — Annual local property tax based on the cadastral value. For most apartments, often €300–€1,000 per year.

Basura (Waste Collection Tax) — A separate municipal fee, typically €80–€200 per year.

Modelo 210 (Non-Resident Income Tax) — If you are not a Spanish tax resident, you must file annually, even if you don't rent out the property. Based on "imputed income" (1.1% or 2% of cadastral value). The tax is generally modest — 19% for EU/EEA residents.

Community Fees — If the property is in a community with shared facilities, expect monthly fees ranging from €50 to €300+ depending on services and location.

This is a question best answered by your lawyer and tax advisor, as the right answer depends entirely on your personal circumstances, tax residency, and intentions for the property.

That said, most individual buyers purchasing a holiday home or primary residence buy in their personal name. Buying through a company can have advantages for investment properties but also adds complexity and cost.

I always recommend taking proper legal and tax advice before making this decision.

As a non-resident, you are only taxed on assets located in Spain (mainly your property). In Andalusia, there is usually a large exemption (often around €700,000 or more). For most buyers with a single apartment or villa under €1 million, the Wealth Tax is zero or very low.

If your Spanish assets exceed the threshold, you may need to file Modelo 714 annually. I always recommend checking this with your lawyer or tax advisor, as rules can change slightly each year.

Not at all. The Costa del Sol is one of the most internationally orientated property markets in Europe. Most agents, lawyers, and notaries are experienced working with international buyers and English is widely spoken throughout the process.

That said, having someone like me by your side — who knows the local market and can navigate the process on your behalf — makes everything significantly smoother.

It is highly recommended and often required by notaries and banks (especially for mortgages). A Spanish account makes paying deposits, taxes, community fees, and ongoing bills much easier.

I can guide you on the simplest ways to open one as a non-resident.

Yes, and there are essentially two ways to do it:

Short-term tourist rental: Renting through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com requires a VUT tourist licence from the Junta de Andalucía. As of 2025, if your property is in a building with multiple owners, you also need approval from 3/5 of your community of owners. Regulations have tightened significantly — not all properties are eligible.

Longer-term rental (3 months or more): No tourist licence required. Seasonal contracts (3–11 months) give you more flexibility, while long-term contracts (12+ months) offer stability but give tenants stronger legal protections including automatic renewal up to 5 years.

Whichever route you're considering, this is something I always discuss early — so you buy the right property for your intentions from day one.

This is exactly why having a good Spanish lawyer is essential. Your lawyer will carry out full due diligence on any property before you commit, checking that it has the correct building licences, a valid first occupation licence, and that there are no outstanding legal issues or debts attached to the property.

Never skip this step — even if a property looks perfect on the surface.

Most properties on the Costa del Sol are part of an urbanisation with shared areas such as gardens and swimming pools, or gated developments with security. Community fees are paid by all owners to cover the maintenance of these shared areas.

Fees vary widely — a simple apartment complex might charge €100 per month, while a luxury gated community could charge significantly more. I always make sure my clients are aware of the community fees for any property they are considering.

Simple — just send me an email at nicklas@litusestates.com telling me a little about what you are looking for. We will have an initial conversation to understand your needs, your budget and your timeline, and we take it from there, with no commitment.

Yes, my service is completely free for buyers. As an independent buyer's agent, I'm paid by the seller's agency, so you pay nothing for my help — from the first conversation until the keys are in your hands.

I am based in Sitio de Calahonda, Mijas but I cover Marbella and the wider Costa del Sol — including Benahavís, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos and surrounding areas. If you have a specific area in mind, or are not sure yet where you want to buy, I am happy to help you explore your options.

When you go directly to the seller agency, you are working with someone who represents the seller — not you. Their job is to sell their listings at the best possible price for their client.

I work exclusively for you. I have no listings to push and no agenda other than finding you the right property at the right price. My service costs you nothing as a buyer.

Absolutely not — in fact, the earlier the better. Many of my clients first reach out months before they are ready to buy. Getting the right information early helps you make better decisions and avoid mistakes down the line.

Just send me an email and let's start the conversation — nicklas@litusestates.com