Buying in Costa del Sol: what overseas buyers should know
The Costa del Sol has long drawn UK buyers looking for a holiday home, a retirement base or a lettings investment on the southern coast of Spain. A reliable climate, an established international community and direct flights from across the UK make it one of the most familiar overseas markets for British purchasers. Property ranges from apartments near the beach to villas set back in the hills, with both new-build developments and resale homes widely available.
What buyers are looking for in Costa del Sol
The coast runs from Malaga westward towards Sotogrande, taking in resort towns, golf communities and quieter inland villages. Buyers can choose frontline beach apartments, townhouses within golf developments and detached villas with sea views. Demand stays steady through the year, supported by holiday owners, relocating families and investors who let their property when they are not using it.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in Spain. Visitors can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, and non-lucrative and digital nomad visas exist for longer stays. You will need an NIE number and a lawyer, with completion before a notary. The main costs are a transfer tax on resale homes or VAT on a new-build, plus the annual local property tax (IBI), and Spanish banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit. Treat this as a general summary and take current local advice. Start your search to see property for sale in Costa del Sol, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Costa del Sol
The coast divides into distinct areas, each with its own character and price positioning. Marbella sits at the centre, known for prime villas, golf and its marina at Puerto Banus. To the west, Estepona pairs a working old town with newer beachfront developments. Malaga anchors the eastern end with a walkable city and a growing appetite for apartments, while Nerja offers a smaller, more traditional coastal feel further east.
Property types vary by area, from city apartments and townhouses to golf villas and country homes inland. Buyers weighing lifestyle against budget will find the western coast tends towards the prime end, while eastern towns and inland villages offer more space for the money. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
