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...
Property Law & Legal
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...
Okupas in Spain: What Is the Okupa Movement and How the 2025 Anti-Okupa Law Protects Property Owners
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...
Buying a property in Spain can seem complicated at first. Many international buyers ask the same question: how can I buy a property in Spain safely and without any surprises? Having lived on the Costa del Sol for many years and helped clients purchase homes here, I can confirm that the process is actually very straightforward. Yes, I have seen properties with illegal pools, additional rooms and even...
