Is the Costa del Sol a safe place to live and buy property?
Yes. The Costa del Sol is a well-established destination for international residents and foreign property buyers. It offers mature residential areas, strong infrastructure, extensive healthcare services, international schools and amenities that operate throughout the year. However, safety and suitability vary between towns and neighbourhoods, so each location should be assessed individually. Safety and everyday life Spain compares favourably with many OECD countries in measures such as homicide rates. The Costa del Sol includes numerous established residential communities popular with families, retirees and international residents. As with any destination, buyers should consider the precise neighbourhood, local security, transport connections and[...]
Can foreign buyers finance a property purchase in Spain with a mortgage?
Yes. Foreign and non-resident buyers can finance a property purchase in Spain with a Spanish mortgage. Some banks offer financing of up to 70% of the property value, although the amount available depends on the lower of the purchase price or bank valuation, as well as your income, existing debts, assets and credit profile. Buyers must normally cover the remaining balance plus taxes and purchasing costs from their own funds. 🏦 What types of Spanish mortgages are available? Spanish banks offer fixed-rate, variable-rate and mixed mortgages. Variable mortgages are commonly linked to Euribor plus a lender’s margin, while mixed[...]
What VAT and property transfer taxes apply when buying property in Andalusia?
When buying property in Andalusia, the taxes depend primarily on whether you are purchasing a new-build or resale property. Taxes on a new-build property Buyers purchasing a new-build home directly from a developer generally pay: 10% VAT (IVA) 1.2% Stamp Duty (AJD) These taxes are normally calculated on the purchase price. If you use a Spanish mortgage, the bank pays the taxes and formalisation costs associated with the mortgage deed. However, the buyer still normally pays the 1.2% AJD relating to the new-build purchase deed. Taxes on a resale property For a resale property purchased from a private owner,[...]
Why do foreign buyers need an NIE to purchase property in Spain?
An NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a personal tax identification number for foreign nationals and serves as the essential administrative key for official procedures in Spain. As soon as a foreign national has an economic or legal interest in Spain, an NIE becomes essential. It is a unique, personal and permanent number that remains with you throughout your life, regardless of whether you stay in Spain temporarily or permanently. When is an NIE required? An NIE is required for practically every significant transaction, particularly when you: Buy or sell property Sign a reservation or purchase agreement Apply[...]
What currency is used when buying property in Spain?
Property purchases in Spain are normally priced and completed in euros. The purchase price, taxes, notary costs and Land Registry fees must therefore be budgeted and settled in euros. International buyers can still use funds held in British pounds, US dollars or another home currency. These funds must be converted into euros before the relevant payments are made. How can buyers reduce currency-conversion costs? Exchange rates and provider fees can make a significant difference when transferring a large amount for a Spanish property purchase. Buyers should compare: The exchange rate offered Any transfer or conversion fees The final number[...]
How are buyers’ payments protected when purchasing property in Spain?
Protecting buyers’ funds is one of the most strictly regulated aspects of purchasing property in Spain, particularly when buying a new-build property. The system is designed to minimise the buyer’s risk and prevent the misuse of their money. ⚖️ Legal protection for new-build payments The protection of buyers’ funds is established under Spanish legislation, particularly Law 38/1999, the Building Regulations Act (Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación or LOE) and related regulations. This legal framework requires developers to: Deposit all buyers’ payments, including reservation deposits and staged purchase payments, into special separate bank accounts Protect each payment through a[...]
What is the quality of food, shopping and everyday services on the Costa del Sol?
Yes. The excellent quality of life is one of the main reasons international buyers choose to live on the Costa del Sol. The region combines fresh food, modern infrastructure, excellent healthcare and a wide range of lifestyle amenities, all within a warm Mediterranean climate. 🥑 Fresh food and international shopping Thanks to the region’s climate and agricultural tradition, fresh fruit and vegetables are widely available throughout the year. Local markets, fishmongers and supermarkets offer a broad selection of fresh produce, seafood and regional specialities. International residents are also well catered for, with major supermarkets and specialist shops offering products[...]
What is the most important advice when buying a property in Spain?
Buy with a clear strategy, not simply with your heart. A beautiful view or impressive show home should not be the only reason to purchase. The right property should also match your budget, intended use and long-term plans. ⏱️ Consider the timing but never rush your decision Popular new developments may release apartments in several phases. Buying early can provide a wider choice of units and sometimes more attractive introductory pricing but the first phase is not automatically the best option for every buyer. At Amazing Costa del Sol, we maintain direct relationships with developers and can inform clients[...]
Is buying property on the Costa del Sol safe and a good investment?
Is buying property on the Costa del Sol safe and a good investment? Buying property on the Costa del Sol can be a secure and attractive decision when the purchase is supported by proper legal checks and a clear understanding of your objectives. Spain has an established legal, notarial and Land Registry system. Buyers can obtain official information about the registered ownership of a property and any mortgages or other registered charges affecting it. Nevertheless, international buyers should always appoint an independent Spanish property lawyer to represent their interests. 🇪🇺 An established European property market As part of Spain[...]
What should I expect during a property viewing in Spain?
A viewing trip with Amazing Costa del Sol is carefully planned around your needs, budget and preferred locations. Rather than showing you a long list of unsuitable properties, we prepare a focused itinerary designed to help you compare the right options and understand each area properly. 1️⃣ Before your visit We begin with an online consultation to discuss: your budget and purchasing objectives; whether the property will be a home, holiday residence or investment; your preferred areas and property type; your expected purchase timeframe; any questions about taxes, financing and the buying process. We then shortlist suitable properties and[...]
Can I buy property in Spain remotely?
Yes. Many stages of a Spanish property purchase can be completed from abroad with the assistance of an independent lawyer and a properly drafted power of attorney. A power of attorney allows an authorised representative to complete specific legal and administrative steps on your behalf. It can be signed before a Spanish notary or through an appropriate Spanish consulate abroad. Foreign notarised documents may also require an Apostille and an official translation before they can be used in Spain. Approximately 30% of our clients complete their purchase remotely without visiting the region before signing the contracts. 🖥️ Explore properties[...]
How do we choose which developments to recommend?
We believe that offering more properties does not necessarily provide a better service. Our priority is to identify well-located developments from established developers that are suitable for our clients’ objectives. We therefore focus on a carefully selected portfolio rather than attempting to promote every project available on the Costa del Sol. 🔍 We assess the developer’s track record Before introducing a development to our clients, we review available information about: previously completed projects; experience in the Spanish property market; the company behind the development; construction progress and anticipated delivery times; feedback and information available from professional contacts and previous[...]
Proč se specializujeme na nové nemovitosti na Costa del Sol?
Protože nové nemovitosti dnes představují nejbezpečnější, nejpředvídatelnější a dlouhodobě nejfunkčnější volbu – jak pro vlastní bydlení, tak pro kombinaci dovolená + pronájmy. Níže jsou hlavní důvody, proč jdeme touto cestou a proč ji doporučujeme i našim klientům. ♻️ Green Deal: budoucí realita, ne vzdálená hrozba Evropská legislativa (tzv. Green Deal) zásadně mění pravidla hry. Starší nemovitosti budou v následujících letech čelit: povinným energetickým úpravám (izolace, okna, technologie), omezením využití a pronájmu u nízkých energetických tříd, výrazným dodatečným investicím, které dnes nejsou na první pohled vidět. Novostavby na Costa del Sol už tyto normy splňují: vysoká energetická účinnost, nižší provozní[...]



