Morning comes early to Fuengirola’s paseo. A few boats head into the harbour to unload the morning catch as the first swimmers take to the water, and by nine the pavement cafés are full of people who could just as easily be locals as visitors. Nobody’s in a hurry. That’s rather the point.
It’s not a scene reserved for holidaymakers. Increasingly, it’s the morning routine of people who’ve made this coastline their home. The official figures show just how many of them there are – and where they’re coming from.
In short: overseas buyers remain the driving force behind the Costa del Sol property market, with British buyers the single largest foreign nationality purchasing homes in Spain and Málaga province one of the country’s most sought-after destinations for international owners. Connectivity, cultural investment and a market that continues to attract demand all support the case – though anyone planning to let a property should check the latest rules first.
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Contents
More than sunshine
Yes, the sunshine is a huge draw, with this stretch of Spain’s coastline receiving around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. But it’s about more than just good weather. Getting there has never been easier. Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport closed 2025 with a record 26.76 million passengers, up 7.4% on the year, according to Aena, Spain’s state airport operator. British travellers were the single largest group using the airport, with more than 6.1 million passengers – almost as many as the German, Dutch, Italian and French arrivals combined [1].
Málaga city itself has changed drastically in recent years. On the harbourfront, the Centre Pompidou’s Spanish outpost – housed in its distinctive coloured glass cube – has just secured a renewed agreement with the city, keeping it there until 2035. And in November 2025, the Michelin Guide chose Málaga to host its Spain and Andorra gala for the first time, with nine of the province’s Michelin-starred restaurants, including two-starred Bardal in Ronda and Skina in Marbella, putting together the evening’s menu between them.
But the Costa del Sol isn’t all high-end. Towns like Estepona and Fuengirola, or the villages of the eastern Axarquía, offer a quieter pace and a lower price point without giving up the coast, the flight connections or the established community of long-term residents.
The numbers behind the loyalty
According to the Colegio de Registradores – Spain’s official body of property registrars – British nationals accounted for 7.93% of all foreign home purchases in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2025, more than any other single nationality. Buyers from the Netherlands (6.77%) and Germany (6.65%) followed close behind, and European Union nationals together made up 57.32% of all foreign purchases that quarter [2].
Málaga province, which covers the Costa del Sol, had one of the highest shares of foreign buyers of any Spanish province: 31.11% of all home purchases registered there in the fourth quarter of 2025 went to overseas buyers, trailing only Alicante and the Balearic Islands. [2].
The average registered price across Málaga province reached €3,232 per m² in the same quarter – around £2,780 at current rates, though it’s worth checking live rates before budgeting since these move. That’s up 4.4% on the previous quarter and 12.7% higher than a year earlier, continuing a run of double-digit annual growth, though the registrars note the pace of that growth has been easing over recent quarters [2].
What to check before you commit
None of this is a reason to skip due diligence – if anything, a market this active makes it more important. Rules on short-term letting have tightened: since April 2025, new tourist rentals in shared buildings need approval from three-fifths of the community of owners, and Andalusia‘s regional VUT registration is now the licence that matters, following a Supreme Court ruling in May 2026 that struck down the previous national registry. If letting out your property is part of the plan, it’s worth checking a building’s community rules and current registration requirements before you buy, not after.
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What should I do next?
If the Costa del Sol has caught your interest, our buying guide to the Costa del Sol covers the buying process, local costs and the best areas for different budgets in full. You can also browse current listings across the Costa del Sol or speak to one of our property consultants about your plans.
Summary
Overseas buyers remain the backbone of demand on the Costa del Sol. British buyers are the largest single nationality purchasing property in Spain, and Málaga province is one of the country’s most sought-after regions for international owners. Beyond the numbers, the region’s appeal is broadening. Easier flight connections, a growing cultural scene and a strengthening food reputation are adding new reasons to buy alongside the traditional pull of climate and community. Prices have risen steadily rather than spiked, and value is still available away from the best-known resorts. The one thing worth doing before you commit is checking the current rules on tourist rentals, since these have changed more than once in the past two years.
FAQs about buying property on the Costa del Sol
Official registrar data shows steady, sustained price growth rather than a sudden spike, alongside continued strong demand from overseas buyers. As with any property purchase, the right time depends on your own budget and plans rather than the market alone.
Many areas have long-established international communities and English-speaking services, particularly around Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Marbella. That said, learning some Spanish will always open up more of daily life.
The property-based golden visa route closed in April 2025, so buying no longer grants residency rights. This hasn’t stopped overseas demand, with many buyers purchasing for lifestyle or investment reasons rather than residency.
Sources:
[2]: eri_4t_2025
