Premium segment · €1M – €30M+
Best real estate brokers on the Costa del Sol & Málaga
Our curated overview of high-end brokers on the Costa del Sol & Málaga. Only ratings we have manually verified against the source's own profile are shown as numbers — the rest are honest direct links to the broker's review pages.
Buyer precautions
Protect yourself before you sign
Spanish property transactions have their pitfalls. These steps are not optional — they are the minimum for a safe purchase in the premium segment.
Due diligence on the seller
Confirm the seller is the actual owner (Nota Simple) and that there's no ongoing divorce, bankruptcy or inheritance dispute. Ask for the latest IBI, community fees and electricity bill.
Order a fresh Nota Simple
Get an updated extract from the Registro de la Propiedad (€9–€15). Confirms owner, area, charges, mortgages, easements and embargoes. Never trust the seller's copy alone.
Use an independent lawyer
Never use a lawyer recommended by the seller or broker. Choose an independent Spanish property lawyer (abogado) registered with the Colegio de Abogados. Expect 1–1.5% of purchase price.
NIE number & Spanish bank account
You need an NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) and a Spanish bank account before purchase. Allow 4–6 weeks. Apply through a Spanish consulate abroad or directly in Spain.
Building status & licences
Verify Licencia de Primera Ocupación (LPO) and Cédula de Habitabilidad. Illegal extensions, terraces and pools are very common — these can cost €50,000+ to legalise or have to be demolished.
Technical survey
Hire an independent arquitecto técnico to inspect the structure, damp, cracks, roof, electrics and plumbing. Costs €400–€1,500 — can save you hundreds of thousands.
Reservation agreement (Reserva)
Maximum €6,000–€10,000 reservation, paid only via the lawyer's client account or with a clear refund clause. Never transfer large sums before the lawyer has reviewed the documents.
Private purchase contract (Arras)
Typically a 10% deposit. If the seller withdraws, they pay double. If you withdraw, you lose your deposit. Check clauses for financing and licences.
Tax costs at purchase
Resale property: 7% ITP in Andalucía. New build: 10% IVA + 1.2% AJD. Plus 0.5–1% notary/registration, 1–1.5% lawyer. Expect 10–13% on top of purchase price.
Ongoing ownership costs
IBI (property tax) 0.4–1.1% annually, waste/water €200–€600/yr, community fees €1,500–€15,000/yr for villa/penthouse, pool/garden maintenance €3,000–€20,000/yr.
Wealth tax & non-resident tax
Spain has wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio) above €700,000 net assets per person in Andalucía (currently 95% relief, but politically uncertain). Non-residents pay imputed rental income tax even without renting out.
Rental licence if relevant
Short-term (tourist) rental requires a VFT licence from Junta de Andalucía. Many comunidades have banned rentals. Check the bylaws (estatutos) BEFORE purchase if rentals are part of the plan.
Power of Attorney (Poder)
If you can't be present at signing, set up a notarised power of attorney for your lawyer. Have it apostilled at home. Allow 2–4 weeks.
Notary signing (Escritura)
Final purchase signed at the notario. Balance paid by bank cheque. The notary registers in the Registro de la Propiedad — title transfer is only legally valid after registration (4–8 weeks).
Power, water & insurance from day 1
Transfer Endesa/Iberdrola, water and internet on the day of signing. Take out home insurance (seguro de hogar) with legal cover — €300–€2,000/yr depending on value.
Document translation
Demand a sworn translation (traductor jurado) of all legal documents you don't understand. Never sign in Spanish without understanding every word. Costs €30–€80 per page.
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Start matchingAbout this site and liability — read the full disclaimer▾
What this site is: Costa del Sol Estates is an independent information and guidance service for people considering a property purchase on the Costa del Sol and in the Málaga province. We collect publicly available information about brokers, areas, prices and the buying process, and present it in a curated form. We do not sell property, we do not arrange contracts, and we do not provide legal, tax or financial advice.
Our relationship to the brokers: We are not a broker, not a brokerage and not an intermediary. The brokers listed here have been selected based on public visibility, reviews and market presence — not based on agreements with us. We have no business relationship with them and cannot guarantee the quality of their work.
Liability: All information is curated from publicly available sources as of April 2026 and may contain errors, be incomplete or be out of date. Stars, ratings and reviews change over time. We accept no liability for the brokers' services, the properties they offer, advice they give, contracts that are signed, or transactions that are carried out. You as the reader make your own choices and bear your own responsibility. Always engage an independent Spanish lawyer (abogado) before signing anything.
Verify yourself: Links to Trustpilot, Google, Facebook and Idealista go directly to the named profile. Click and read the reviews yourself — ratings alone do not tell the whole story.
Last verified: April 2026. Spotted an error? Let us know via the contact form.