Buying property in Estepona as a UK foreigner

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for reference purposes only. All information on this page should not be considered financial or tax advice. You are solely responsible for calculating and paying your tax liabilities depending on the applicable law. All tax saving strategies or decisions should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor.

Love the idea of having your own holiday home in sun-soaked Estepona? This charming, traditional resort town in the Costa del Sol is famous for its beaches, and for having an incredible 325+ days of sunshine a year.

For these reasons and more, this Andalucian gem is hugely popular with expats and investors from the UK and all over the world.

If you’re planning to move to Estepona from the UK, buy a holiday home or snap up an investment property, we’re here to help.

Read on for a practical guide to buying property in Estepona as a foreigner. This includes info on Spanish mortgages, fees and taxes, the latest Estepona property prices, where to start your search and the pitfalls to avoid.

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Can you get a mortgage from a Spanish bank as a non-resident?

The first thing to think about is how you’ll finance your property purchase in Estepona. Unless you have the cash upfront, you’re likely to need a mortgage.

Spanish banks do provide mortgages to foreign nationals and non-residents.

However, as a non-resident, you’re likely to get a lower loan-to-value (LTV) rate than a local applicant. This means you may only be able to borrow around 60% to 70% of the property’s value, so you’ll need a larger deposit.¹

It’s a good idea to start shopping around for mortgages before starting your property search. You might want to use a specialist broker, who can help you find the right mortgage for your circumstances.

Taxes and fees for owning property in Estepona

In order to set your budget for the purchase, you’ll need to factor in legal fees, property taxes and other costs. This is really important, as it can add a significant chunk to the overall cost - on top of the purchase price.

Here are the main fees to know about when buying property in Estepona:²

Tax/fee name	Rate/fee
Property transfer tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales – ITP)	- 7% of the purchase price for existing properties - 10% VAT for new build properties
Stamp Duty (Actos Jurídicos Documentados – AJD)	1.5% for new build properties and mortgage deeds
Notary fees	0.5% to 1%
Registration fees	0.2% to 0.5%
Legal fees	1% to 2%³
IBI property ownership tax (annual)	0.3% to 1.1%³

You may need to pay mortgage valuation and arrangement fees, as well as a fee to commission a building survey. The costs of these can vary, so it’s important to do your research/get quotes as early as possible.

There are also ongoing community fees for apartments with shared facilities, as well as the Basura tax which covers waste collection. The rates for these can vary depending on the exact area and the property.

Read more: Cost of Living in Spain

What’s the property market like in Estepona?

The Estepona property market is one of the fastest-growing in the Costa del Sol. Once considered just a neighbour to popular Marbella, Estepona is now an attractive property hotspot in its own right - but with more affordable prices than Marbella.

However, house prices are rising - in fact, they increased by 12% in Q1 2025 compared to the year before.⁴ This is due to a number of factors, including continued international demand, especially from expats and retirees looking to relocate, as well as investors.

This could mean you’ll need to act fast and pay a little more if you want to outcompete other buyers and secure your dream home in Estepona.

Can foreigners buy property in Estepona?

Yes foreign nationals can freely buy property in Spain - including Estepona - without any restrictions, and you don’t need to be a resident there either.

All you need is a financial number (NIE), valid ID and the funds or finance to support your purchase.

Can you buy property in Estepona and get residency?

No, there is no longer a direct route to residency through buying a property in Spain.

Spain was one of a number of countries with a ‘Golden Visa’ scheme, which allowed foreign citizens to gain residency through making an investment in the country. This included investing in property.

However, the Spanish government decided to scrap the scheme and it officially closed for applications in 2025.

So if you’d like to move abroad and live in Estepona permanently, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate residency visa.

Read more: Living in Spain as an expat: A complete guide

How much are the property prices in Estepona?

Now we come to the all important question - how much money do you need to afford your dream home in Estepona?

On average, you can expect to pay around:⁵

• €4,635 EUR per square metre for an apartment
• €4,476 EUR per square metre for a house.

Of course, it all depends on what and where you buy. Some parts of Estepona are much more expensive than others, such as the New Golden Mile between Marbella and Estepona where you’ll find luxury resorts, high-end villas and premium properties.

Another thing to note when figuring out the price for property in Estepona is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the bank or provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your pounds to euros (EUR).

Consider checking out Wise to securely handle your large transfers with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*.

Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Estepona?

Generally speaking, properties in Estepona tend to become more affordable the further away they are from the coast and the old town. Look to the north, as well as inland areas.

You may also be able to snap up a cheaper property in the residential neighbourhoods of Barriada de la Paz and San Isidro - or if you choose an older property in need of renovation.

Buying property in Estepona as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Before you start your house hunt, it can be useful to know a little about how the process of buying property works in Estepona.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, you’ll need to get your finances in order. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.

You might also want to open a Spanish bank account.

2. Get your NIE

In order to buy property in Spain as a foreigner, you’ll need an NIE. This stands for *Número de Identificación de Extranjeros, *and it’s a Spanish tax ID number.

You can get this by visiting a Spanish police station and presenting your passport, or you can apply at a Spanish Consulate if you’re still in the UK.

3. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties. We’ll run through some tips later on how and where to start your search.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

4. Ask to see the Nota Simple

If you’re serious about a property and ready to make an offer, it’s recommended to first ask to see the Nota Simple. This is a crucial legal document which outlines the key details of the property, such as:

• Details of ownership
• Any outstanding debts on the property
• Boundaries of the property and land
• Designated use of the property
• Rights on the property held by others (i.e. right of way)
• Community costs (if any) the owner of the property is liable for.

You can get a copy of the Nota Simple at the local property title registry, or online at the Registores website.

Always cross-check the details of the Nota Simple with the actual details of the property, to make sure there are no discrepancies. If there are any, these will need to be resolved before the sale can go through.

Read more: What is the 'Nota Simple' in Spain and how do you get one?

5. Get a survey

Just before you make an offer, you might want to get a building survey carried out. This involves hiring a surveyor to check the property for structural or other issues.

If the survey flags anything up, you may be able to negotiate on price when putting in your offer.

It’s important that the surveyor also checks details such as the size and boundaries of the property against the information recorded on the Nota Simple.

6. Appoint a solicitor

While it’s not mandatory, it’s a good idea to find and appoint a property lawyer. They will check over and translate all documents and contracts, as well as carrying out due diligence on the transaction.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

Whoever you appoint, make sure they are registered with the local bar association Colegio de Abogados.

7. Make an offer

The next important step is to submit a competitive offer to the estate agent, or to the buyer directly. You can negotiate, just like in other countries. Once an agreement is reached, a notary will summarise the offer in writing.

8. Sign the preliminary agreement (contrato privado de compraventa)

If your offer is accepted, the next step is for both parties to sign the preliminary agreement. In Spain, this is known as the contrato privado de compraventa.

You’ll also arrange a transfer for the deposit, which is usually around 10% of the purchase price.²

At this stage, you might want to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase.

9. Sign the contract of sale (escritura de compraventa)

This is the final crucial piece of paperwork, and it must be formally signed in the presence of a notary. You’ll also need to have your solicitor with you in the notary office (or arrange for power of attorney to be provided).

The title deed will be transferred to your name and you’ll arrange a transfer for the remaining balance. Read our helpful guide to transferring money from the UK to Spain for a property purchase.

After all that’s done, you’ll get the keys to your new home.

Read more: How to open a bank account in Spain as a UK non-resident

How can you find a property in Estepona?

The two main routes to find property to buy in Estepona are local real estate agencies and online property websites. You can, of course, use both.

Property agencies and agents in Estepona

It isn’t necessary to use a real estate agent to find a property to buy in Estepona, but it could be extremely helpful. This is especially true if you’re moving to Spain from the UK and are unfamiliar with the local property market.

A specialist buying agent or broker can offer helpful insight into the local market and help you navigate the sales process. However, there will usually be a fee to pay for this service.

Before engaging an agent, check that they are registered with the Andalusian Housing Registry*. *Not all estate agents in Spain have to be licensed, but they do in Andalucia under new laws.

Property websites in Estepona

The best way to get a head start on finding a place to buy in Estepona is to look online. Great websites to find a house or a flat to buy include:

• Idealista
• Fotocasa
• Habitaclia
• Servihabitat
• Kyero
• ThinkSPAIN
• Rightmove (overseas properties).

What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in Estepona?

One of the main things to watch out for when buying property abroad are scams.

The best way to avoid these and protect yourself is to work with verified, independent and qualified professionals such as real estate agents, brokers and property solicitors.

An independent real estate solicitor is perhaps the most important to have. This is an expert who works just for you and has your interests at heart, rather than working for the seller or real estate agent at the same time.

You can find one by checking this handy UK Government list of English speaking lawyers around the world.

Other important things to remember include:

• Make sure any real estate agent you use is licensed with the Andalusian Housing Registry
• Always check the Nota Simple against the actual property and its listing, and get any discrepancies rectified.
• If you’re planning to let out the property, check the local rules on short-term lets and tourist licences
• Be cautious and do your homework before sending money or a deposit.
• Ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the property - along with carrying out other due diligence checks
• Get an inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.

Read more: Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Spain

How do you choose the right property in Estepona?

Your dream home in Estepona will be the one that closest fits your search criteria. The most important factors will be location, the type of home and how much you can afford to spend.

If you’re not already living there, it’s worth making a trip to the specific part of Estepona you’re interested in.

You can stroll along the streets, get a feel for the local area and view properties, making sure to pay attention to local transport links and amenities.

Condition of the property

It’s a good idea to do as much research as possible before committing to purchase a property.

If you have any concerns or just want to cover all bases before purchasing, you can commission a building survey or inspection. This will flag up any major issues and give you a better idea of what you’re buying.

Type of property

Estepona offers a range of different property types, from beachfront apartments and golf-side villas to traditional whitewashed houses and rural fincas.

You may even be lucky enough to find a plot of land to build on.

Read more: Moving to Spain from the UK: Complete guide

Moving into your Estepona property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a few key tasks to run through.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities and bills in Estepona

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Renovating property in Estepona

For some properties, some building work or improvements may be needed before you can move in.

Our guide to renovating property in Spain covers everything you need to know, from planning permission to finding a local builder - and some of the main costs you can expect.

Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in Estepona

After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to start your property search in Estepona. This includes those crucial first steps such as finding a broker and searching online property portals, and getting your finances in order.

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Additional FAQs about buying property in Estepona

Where do expats live in Estepona?

Popular spots for expats in Estepona include areas near the marina and port, as well as the Casasola and El Paraiso communities.

Is Estepona a good place to buy property?

Estepona is generally considered an attractive place to buy property, as its property market is healthy, prices are rising, tourism is increasing and there are currently no restrictions or extra taxes on foreign nationals buying property there.

Is Estepona nicer than Marbella?

It all depends what you’re looking for, as both Estepona and Marbella both have their attractions.

Estepona tends to be a little quieter than its neighbour, with a more authentic Spanish feel. Marbella, on the other hand, is famed for its luxury, glamour and vibrant, cosmopolitan nightlife.

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Sources used:

1. Martin Real Estate - Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Property in Estepona (2025)
2. Cabanillas Real Estate - Complete Guide to Buying a House in Estepona
3. Martin Real Estate - How Much Are Property Taxes and Buying Costs in Costa del Sol? (2025 Buyer’s Guide)
4. Marbella Estates - Estepona Real Estate Market Trends for 2025: What Buyers and Investors Need to Know
5. Engel & Völkers - Property prices from 2026 in Municipality Estepona

Sources last checked on date: 13-Feb-2026