Relocating to Spain from the US: how we help American buyers on the Costa del Sol

Over the last few years we have had more enquiries from American buyers than at any point in our history. Some are retiring, some are buying a second home, and a growing number are moving over to work remotely. What they share is that buying property in Spain works differently from back home, and the gap between a smooth purchase and a stressful one usually comes down to having someone local who explains each step before it happens.

This is a short, honest guide to how we work with American buyers on the Costa del Sol, and the practical things worth knowing before you start.

Why Americans are moving to the Costa del Sol

The appeal is easy to understand once you have spent a week here. The Costa del Sol gets around 300 days of sun a year, the healthcare is excellent and far cheaper than in the US, and daily costs — eating out, services, running a home — are a fraction of what most Americans are used to. Add safe towns, good international schools and year-round flights through Málaga airport, and it becomes a realistic place to live rather than just visit.

American interest clusters around a few areas: Marbella and Marbella East for the established luxury market, Mijas Costa and La Cala de Mijas for value and a relaxed beach-town feel, and Estepona and Benahávís for new-build and golf-community living. We cover all of these and will talk you through the trade-offs honestly, including the ones that do not show up in a brochure.

You can buy without being a resident

There is no nationality or residency restriction on buying property in Spain. Americans can buy with full ownership, exactly like a Spanish citizen. You will need an NIE, the Spanish tax identification number for foreigners, which we help you arrange, and a Spanish bank account for completion.

Buying does not, by itself, grant residency. Spain's Golden Visa route closed on 3 April 2025, so a property purchase no longer comes with a residence permit attached. Americans who want to live here full-time usually look at the non-lucrative visa (for those with income or savings who will not work locally) or the digital nomad visa (for remote workers and the self-employed). Those are immigration decisions with their own thresholds and paperwork, so we point you to the official source — Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs at exteriores.gob.es and the consular network — and to an immigration lawyer rather than guessing at your situation.

You do not have to be here to buy

Many of our American clients reserve a home while still in the US and complete without flying back. A Spanish power of attorney (a poder) lets your lawyer sign on your behalf at the notary, so the purchase can run start to finish while you are abroad. We handle viewings in person and on video, and coordinate the lawyer, the notary and the bank so the process keeps moving across the time difference.

What our American buyers actually get from us

• Advice in plain English, with no exclusivity. We are a boutique agency, not a portal — you work with a named person who knows the stock, not a call centre.
• A hand-picked shortlist. Resale and new-build homes matched to how you want to live — walkable to the beach and town, a quiet urbanisation, a golf community, a sea view — rather than whatever is paying the most that week.
• The real numbers up front. On a resale, budget roughly 10–12% on top of the price for taxes and fees; on a new build it is closer to 13–14%. We give you the full breakdown for a specific property before you commit.
• The move, not just the keys. We connect you with trusted lawyers, mortgage brokers, currency specialists, school admissions and after-sales support, so the relocation is handled rather than left to you.

Why work with Plexo Properties

We are a Scandinavian-run boutique agency based in La Cala de Mijas, registered with GIPE, the official Costa del Sol estate-agent register (founder Mikael Hansen, member no. 369). Our work has been recognised by independent international awards, including the Luxury Lifestyle Awards' TOP 100 Real Estate Brokers of the World and, in 2026, LUXlife's Best Scandinavian Real Estate Agency – Spain. Our portfolio is synced daily from the Costa del Sol's main listing system, and we advise in English, Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch and Spanish.

The tax, legal and visa details above are general and current at the time of writing; they are not personal advice. Confirm your own position with an independent Spanish lawyer and tax adviser (gestor) before you act — we are happy to introduce you to ones we trust.

Frequently asked questions

Can an American citizen buy property in Spain?

Yes. There is no restriction on foreign ownership — Americans can buy with full title. You need an NIE (foreigner's tax number) and usually a Spanish bank account, both of which we help arrange.

Does buying a home in Spain give me residency?

No. The Golden Visa route ended on 3 April 2025, so buying property no longer grants a residence permit. Living in Spain full-time means applying for a visa such as the non-lucrative or digital nomad visa, which is a separate immigration process.

Can I buy from the US without travelling to Spain?

Yes. A Spanish power of attorney lets your lawyer complete the purchase on your behalf, so you can reserve, sign and complete remotely. We run viewings in person and on video.

How much are the buying costs on top of the price?

As a rule, around 10–12% for a resale and 13–14% for a new build, covering transfer tax or VAT, notary, registry and legal fees. We give you an exact figure for any specific property before you commit.