Buying a Luxury Villa on the Costa del Sol? English-speaking estate agent Costa del Sol

The ultra-prime segment is concentrated in: La Zagaleta (Benahávis), Europe's most exclusive gated community with villas from €5M to €50M+. Sotogrande: polo, marina and Real Club Valderrama; villas from €1.5M to €25M+. Sierra Blanca (Marbella): an extension of the Golden Mile with villas from €3M to €30M+. El Madroñal (Benahávis) and Finca Cortesín (Casares) follow close behind. These addresses hold their value exceptionally well, even in market downturns.

With resale villas you can view straight away, you pay 7% transfer tax (ITP) (not 10% VAT), and you know exactly what you are buying, including the garden, trees and any renovations. With new builds (obra nueva) you pay 10% VAT (IVA) + 1.2% AJD, but you get the latest energy standards, guarantees (10 years structural, 3 years finishes) and personalisation options during construction. Many HNW buyers choose new builds for their modern style and lower maintenance costs. We guide you through either route.

Resale: 7% transfer tax (ITP) + notary, land registry and legal fees, around 10–12% on top of the purchase price. New builds: 10% VAT (IVA) + 1.2% AJD stamp duty + other costs, around 12–13%. For villas over €1M you should also take into account the Spanish wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio), which varies by autonomous region; Andalusia has a favourable regime in 2026. We prepare a transparent cost breakdown for each property.

No. Spain abolished the Golden Visa through property investment (€500,000+) as of 3 April 2025 (Ley Orgánica 1/2025). Applications registered before that date fall under a transitional arrangement. For new luxury villa buyers, this programme is no longer available in 2026. For EU buyers this usually makes little difference, as EU citizens automatically have the right of residence. For non-EU buyers there are alternatives (Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa). We advise you on the right route.

Standard: offer → reservation contract (€10,000–€50,000 or more for ultra-prime) → arras contract (10% deposit, sometimes tailored) → extensive legal due diligence → notarial deed. For ultra-prime properties (gated communities such as La Zagaleta), additional compliance checks and approval by the Comunidad often apply. With new builds you make staged payments until completion (typically 30–40% during construction, the balance on handover of the keys). Allow 8–16 weeks for resale and 18–36 months for off-plan.

Many luxury villas are never publicly listed: owners want privacy, do not want a "for sale" sign and only want to receive serious, vetted buyers. These 'off-market' homes often represent 30–50% of the real supply in the premium segment. You can only access them through agents with an established local network. Over 20+ years, WeSellHomes.es has built such relationships in all 8 premium municipalities of the Costa del Sol.

IBI municipal property tax: typically €2,000–€15,000 per year, depending on value and municipality. For villas in gated communities (La Zagaleta, Sotogrande): an annual community fee of €5,000–€25,000+ for security, communal facilities and infrastructure. Maintenance (garden, pool, air conditioning, cleaning): usually €1,500–€5,000 per month. Wealth tax applies above certain thresholds. We prepare a full overview for each villa.

Yes, luxury property too. As a non-resident, a Spanish bank will usually finance up to 60–70% of the purchase price. For villas above €2M there are private banking routes through banks such as Santander Private, BBVA Wealth and ING Private, sometimes with better terms and a flexible LTV. Wealth requirements apply: banks ask for proof of assets and income. WeSellHomes.es works with specialist mortgage brokers for the luxury segment.

Discretion is a core part of the luxury process. WeSellHomes.es works with NDAs for off-market viewings, private viewings outside office hours, and the option to buy through a Spanish SL (limited company) to keep your name out of the Spanish land registry. The latter has tax and legal implications, so we put you in touch with English-speaking tax advisers with luxury experience before you make that choice.

WeSellHomes.es is a GIPE-registered, English-speaking estate agent with 20+ years' experience in the Costa del Sol luxury segment. We have direct relationships with the largest new-build developers (Sierra Blanca Estates, Engel & Völkers Development, Aedas Homes, local boutique developers), access to off-market portfolios in all 8 premium municipalities, and a multilingual team that guides the entire process, from the first viewing to post-purchase property management. As a buyer, you pay us nothing. Get in touch discreetly via our contact page.

The average asking price is €2,607,249, with listings from €260,000 to €28,950,000 and an average of €5,707 per m² built. Based on the 1,784 villas WeSellHomes.es has for sale on the Costa del Sol. Data as of 14 September 2026.

WeSellHomes.es is currently tracking 1,784 villas for sale on the Costa del Sol, of which 26 are new builds. Data as of 14 September 2026.

The average built area is 448 m², with an average of 4.7 bedrooms. Data as of 14 September 2026.

Measured per m² built, Vélez-Málaga is the most affordable at €2,867 per m², followed by Alhaurín el Grande (€2,988). The most expensive is Marbella at €7,818 per m². Data as of 14 September 2026.

4 bedrooms is the most common size: 522 of the 1,784 villas on the Costa del Sol have 4 bedrooms. The average asking price is €2,013,239, with listings from €265,000. Data as of 14 September 2026.

It is not compulsory, but there are 1,784 villas for sale on the Costa del Sol, with asking prices from €260,000 to €28,950,000. The difference lies mainly in location, year of construction and condition, and you cannot see that from a listing. WeSellHomes.es acts as your buying agent: we know the neighbourhoods, attend viewings with you, check the paperwork and guide you through to the handover of the keys at the notary. Data as of 14 September 2026.