Although Spain has many beautiful places to buy property, not all regions offer the same lifestyle, climate or long-term investment potential. From my experience of working with international buyers on the Costa del Sol over the years, I have noticed that many people initially consider several areas before eventually focusing on one that best aligns with their priorities. When we first came to Spain,...

I drive clients along this road almost every week and I always enjoy the views on the way to Estepona. It's about an 80 km (49 miles) journey, and it usually takes between 55 minutes and an hour and 15 minutes, depending on which route you take and the traffic conditions. You can either take the paid AP-7 motorway or the free A7 road, as well as the free section of the AP-7. Both routes follow the...

As a father of two with a third child on the way, I understand how frustrating and confusing it can be to move your children to a new country and have to choose a school. When my family and I started considering life on the Costa del Sol, one of the first things we thought about was education. International schools here offer a variety of programmes, languages and learning styles. For parents, this can...

Whether you are planning a holiday home, retirement residence or long-term investment, buying property on the Costa del Sol is an exciting step. However, many international buyers are taken aback by the additional purchase costs. When buying property in Spain, you will incur additional costs such as taxes, legal fees and notary expenses. Based on my experience of helping buyers in Benalmádena, I...

Many international buyers ask if they can leverage a purchase by taking out a mortgage. 'Can foreigners get a mortgage in Spain?' The short answer is yes. Spanish banks regularly offer mortgages to international buyers, including non-residents, provided certain financial requirements are met. I have been living on the Costa del Sol for over nine years, raising two children here and helping...

Prices, lifestyle and the best areas to buy property this year Having lived on the Costa del Sol for over nine years, raising two children here, I have experienced the entire process of relocating from scratch, including finding schools, understanding the property market and getting to know each area. Over the years, I’ve helped many international buyers purchase property here, and I’ve learned...

Spain has many attractive locations for real estate investment, but the Costa del Sol is one of the most stable and in-demand markets internationally. If you want to get an overview of all the Spanish regions, here's an article you can check out. Remember that there are different types of investment, which depend on your strategy, lifestyle and budget. Here, you can invest in short-term rentals,...

In Spain, the term "okupas" refers to individuals who illegally occupy empty properties without the owner’s permission. This practice is linked to the Okupa movement, which began as a political housing protest but now often involves organized squatting in vacant homes. The illegal occupation of property, known in Spain as "okupación", has long been a concern for homeowners and international...

I have a friend who rents out a one-bedroom apartment in Málaga's historic center. She maintains a 90% occupancy rate and earns an average of €1,000–€1,500 per month after covering all costs. She keeps it simple. She placed the listing on Airbnb and manages most of the service herself, only hiring specialists for special cases. Yes, that's possible in Málaga if you buy a property with an...

The country has started removing over 86,000 illegal tourist and short-term rental listings from online platforms. From July 2025 onwards, all short-term rentals will require an official registration number. Properties that applied but failed to meet the legal requirements have been denied registration and reported so that their listings can be removed. Of the approximately 412,000 registration...