Moving to Marbella and buying a home: where to start

Thinking of moving to Marbella and buying a home? You can, freely, and thousands do it every year. There is one 2026 update worth knowing up front: buying a property no longer comes with residency attached, so relocating is now two separate questions. Where do you want to live, and how do you secure the right to stay?

This guide answers both of these questions, and also covers what it costs and where to actually look, with real homes to match.

Key takeaways

• Foreigners can buy property in Marbella freely with no restrictions

• Buying a home no longer grants Spanish residency since April 2025

• EU and EEA citizens can relocate freely; others need a visa route

• Budget roughly 10 to 13% on top of the purchase price for costs

Can you move to Marbella just by buying a house?

Not automatically, at least not any more. Spain abolished its Golden Visa on 3 April 2025, so buying a €500,000 property no longer grants you residency. You can still buy a home anywhere in Spain as a foreigner without any residency requirement, but living there full-time is a separate step.

• EU and EEA citizens (including German and Scandinavian) can relocate freely

• Non-EU retirees typically use the Non-Lucrative Visa which needs around €28,800 a year

• Remote workers often use the Digital Nomad Visa, requiring roughly €2,849/mo

• Owning a home still helps a visa application as proof of accommodation and ties

Rules and thresholds change, and this is general information rather than legal advice. Helios has an in-house legal team that guides relocating buyers through the right route alongside the purchase, so the two move in step.

Where should you live in Marbella?

The right neighbourhood depends on your lifestyle and not just your budget. Families, remote professionals and retirees each gravitate to different corners of Marbella.

1. Nueva Andalucía - best for families

The Golf Valley behind Puerto Banús is Marbella's family heartland, built around five golf courses and international schools like Aloha College. It is calm and green, yet minutes from the marina and beach.

• Family community with Aloha College and golf on the doorstep

• Walkable Aloha hub with everyday shops, cafés and restaurants

• Quieter than the coast while staying close to everything

A spacious 5-bedroom villa in the heart of Aloha suits family living, with more space again at La Cerquilla.

Best for: Families who want space, schools and a real community.

2. East Marbella - best for beachside family living

Los Monteros, Río Real, Las Chapas and Elviria form a leafy, residential stretch east of town, close to sandy beaches and several international schools. It feels calmer and greener than the Golden Mile at a friendlier price.

• Relaxed, residential feel near beaches and international schools

• Strong mix of villas and gated beachfront apartment communities

• More home for your money than central Marbella

Choose a beachside apartment in gated Palm Beach, Los Monteros or a single-level boho villa in Elviria.

Best for: Families wanting the beach nearby without Golden Mile prices.

3. Golden Mile and Marbella town - best for walkable luxury

If you want to step out of your door into Marbella life, this is it. The Golden Mile and old town put beaches, restaurants, marinas and schools within walking or short-drive distance, with the Marbella Club and Puente Romano lifestyle on hand.

• Everything walkable: beach, dining, culture and amenities

• The most central, amenity-rich base in Marbella

• Prestige address with the deepest long-term demand

A frontline penthouse in Oasis Club offers beachfront living, while a villa in Rocío de Nagüeles sits just above the strip.

Best for: Buyers who want city-style convenience by the sea.

4. San Pedro de Alcántara - best for value and character

Just west of Puerto Banús, San Pedro keeps a genuine Spanish town feel, with a lovely boulevard, a walkable centre and a strong local community. It offers the most accessible entry point in the municipality, minutes from the marina.

• Authentic town living with a pedestrian boulevard and beach

• The most affordable way into the Marbella municipality

• Friendly, year-round community rather than a resort feel

Look at a charming Andalusian family townhouse near the centre or a newly built beachside villa.

Best for: Buyers who want character, community and value.

5. Sierra Blanca - best for privacy and space

Above the Golden Mile, Sierra Blanca is Marbella's most prestigious gated hillside, favoured by families who want security, large plots and panoramic sea views, all ten minutes from the beach.

• Gated privacy and security with panoramic La Concha and sea views

• Larger plots and grand villas in a peaceful setting

• Minutes from the Golden Mile yet fully secluded

Consider a landmark villa with sea views or a lower-key penthouse in Mansion Club.

Best for: Families prioritising privacy, security and space.

How do you buy a home in Marbella as a foreigner?

The process is straightforward with the right team, and can be run largely from abroad before you move.

• Get your NIE, the foreigner tax number needed for any purchase

• Open a Spanish bank account and arrange funds or a non-resident mortgage

• Appoint an independent lawyer to run checks and contracts

• Sign at the notary, register the property, and collect the keys

Many relocating buyers handle the early steps remotely and only fly in for viewings and completion.

What does it cost to buy in Marbella?

Beyond the purchase price, budget for taxes and fees. As a rough guide for Andalusia:

Rates change and depend on the property, so confirm the current figures with your lawyer before you commit.

Relocating from abroad? We handle the whole move

Buying a home in a new country is easier with one team covering the property, the legals and, if needed, the renovation. Helios Homes has guided international buyers onto the Costa del Sol for over 12 years, with in-house legal and architecture teams and more than €150M in sales. We help you find the right home, navigate residency and paperwork, and settle in. Contact the team to start planning your move.