Most British residents on the Costa del Sol are concentrated in coastal towns stretching southwest from Málaga, with the highest numbers found in Mijas, Fuengirola, Marbella, Benalmádena, and Estepona. These areas offer a mix of established British communities, English-speaking amenities, and proximity to Malaga airport.
Most northern, and increasingly, eastern European expats live on the coast to the south of Malaga in a series of overbuilt towns beginning with Torremolinos (near Malaga Airport) and spreading southwest through Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Calahonda, the renowned Marbella, Puerto Banus, San Pedro, Estepona, and Sotogrande, ...
Speaking during the World Travel Market in London this week, mayor of Torrox, on the eastern Costa del Sol, Óscar Medina, highlighted the strong growth in the number of Brits choosing the town, meaning that tourism from the UK now comes very close to the numbers of German tourists, which has traditionally been its main ...
As arguably the most famous holiday destination in Spain, it shouldn't surprise us that Benidorm takes the title of most British city in Spain. The Alicante province has the highest ratio of foreign residents of all of the Spanish provinces which is why many British expats set up home here.
The Costa del Sol is home to one of the largest British expat communities in Spain. With year-round warm weather and a wealth of amenities catering to non-Spanish-speaking residents, it is one of the most popular destinations for British retirees.
Where to Live on the Costa del Sol Spain | Best Areas to Live in 2025
What Spanish town is paying Brits to move there?
The Spanish town paying Brits (and others) to move is Ponga, located in Asturias, offering around £2,600 (€3,000) for relocation and an extra £2,600 for each baby born there, provided you commit to living there for at least five years, as part of schemes to combat rural depopulation, alongside other regions like Extremadura offering grants for remote workers.
Where is the best place for a Brit to live in Spain?
The best places for Brits to live in Spain are those with a strong expat community and an English-friendly environment. Cities like Malaga, Marbella, Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, Las Palmas and Palma de Mallorca offer a welcoming atmosphere where English is commonly spoken.
Brits are definitely one of the most prominent nationalities living here. The study found that there were 3,420 British nationals living in Benalmádena, equating to around 5 per cent of the total population.
Local governments and residents believe that, rather than sustaining the locations, the overtourism has contributed to a reduced quality of life and increased cost of living for residents.
Where is the best place to retire in Costa del Sol?
Estepona. Known as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol”, Estepona offers a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and a lively old town. Perfect for a seaside retirement with a truly authentic Andalusian lifestyle.
Cities like Seville, Granada, and Bilbao actively promote inclusivity and integration for English-speaking expats by providing access to language courses, cultural events, and social activities tailored to their needs.
Employment duties must be carried out in Spain, although if they must also perform part of their duties outside of Spain, the percentage of their income earned from these activities must not exceed 15% (or 30%, where the employment activity or duties are undertaken in another firm within the group);
In practice, to meet the entry requirements for Spain, you must be able to provide proof that you have enough money/funds (or the ability to legally obtain such means) so that you won't be a burden on the state.
The 2% property rule is a real estate investing guideline where the monthly rental income should be at least 2% of the property's total purchase price (including renovations/repairs) to indicate strong potential cash flow and profitability. It's a quick screening tool to filter potential investments, but investors must conduct deeper analysis on expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance to confirm actual profitability.
Where is the cheapest and nicest place to live in Spain?
The cheapest and nicest place to live in Spain by the sea is Alicante or Torrevieja, both offer low rent and great quality of life. They rank high for cheapest places to rent in Spain near the coast.
How much money do you need in the bank to emigrate to Spain?
Therefore, as an individual, you will need to have €2,400 as a regular guaranteed monthly income or a yearly income of €28,800. If you have dependants that will move with you to live in Spain, 100% of the IPREM is required for each; this amounts to €600 monthly or its equivalent in foreign currency.
Except for prescriptions for medicine, access to the public healthcare system, including primary care, specialised care, hospital treatments and emergency care, is free of charge, without co-payments.
