The International Buyer's Guide to Marbella

More than 300 days of sun a year, a 30 minute airport with direct flights across Europe and the Gulf, and one of the most established international communities in the Mediterranean. People come for a holiday home and end up moving their family, their business, or their retirement here. You are buying a way of living, not just a property.

• The Golden Mile. The classic beachfront address between Marbella town and Puerto Banús. Walkable, established and blue chip.
• Sierra Blanca. Gated foothills above the Golden Mile. Sea views, security, privacy, minutes from town.
• Nueva Andalucía. The Golf Valley. Front line fairways, family villas and a relaxed, social scene near Banús.
• La Zagaleta. Europe's most private gated estate above Benahavís. Two golf courses, total seclusion, trophy homes.
• Puerto Banús. Marina life, beach clubs and energy. Penthouses over the superyachts for those who want the buzz.
• Benahavís and Estepona. Newer build value, mountain and sea views, space. The fastest appreciating stretch of the coast.

1. Get your NIE, the foreigner's tax number. Your lawyer can arrange it.
2. Appoint an independent lawyer, not the seller's. This is non negotiable.
3. Reserve the property with a small holding deposit to take it off the market.
4. Your lawyer does due diligence: title, debts, licences, community fees.
5. Sign the private purchase contract and pay the deposit, typically 10 per cent.
6. Complete at the notary, where the balance is paid and the keys are handed over.

Budget roughly 10 to 13 per cent on top of the price in buying costs:

• Resale: transfer tax (ITP), currently 7 per cent in Andalucía.
• New build: 10 per cent VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, about 1.2 per cent).
• Notary, land registry and legal fees, roughly 1 to 2 per cent combined.
• Ongoing: annual property tax (IBI), community fees, and for non residents the non resident income tax.

Rates change and depend on your situation. Confirm the exact figures with your lawyer and tax adviser.

Spain's property based Golden Visa was discontinued in 2025, so buying a home no longer grants residency on its own. Routes such as the non lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa may fit depending on your circumstances. This is the part to get professional, up to date advice on before you plan around it.

• Using the seller's lawyer, or no lawyer at all.
• Buying the property and forgetting the life: schools, commute, noise, orientation.
• Underbudgeting the 10 to 13 per cent of costs on top of the price.
• Chasing the portal listings everyone sees instead of the off market ones they do not.
• Rushing a viewing trip. The right home is worth a second visit.

From first viewing to keys is typically 6 to 12 weeks for a resale once you have found the one, faster with cash, longer with a mortgage or an off plan purchase.