Moving to the Costa del Sol: Costs, Housing, Work and Tips (2026)

In short: the Costa del Sol is the coastal strip of the province of Málaga, from Manilva in the west to Nerja in the east, with a large German-speaking community. It suits retirees, remote workers and families looking for sea, sun and international structures who bring a higher budget.

Who is the Costa del Sol right for?

• Good: retirees find German-speaking doctors, clubs and service providers in almost every larger town.
• Good: families have real alternatives to the Spanish system with the German School and British schools.
• Good: remote workers live close to the airport and are in Málaga quickly.
• Good: if you like golf, sailing or hiking in the Sierra, you have it all on your doorstep.

• Less so: if you have little money, you will hardly find affordable housing in the west.
• Less so: if you want to learn Spanish and live a Spanish life, in the urbanisations you often stay among foreigners.
• Less so: if you don’t want a car, you are very limited outside the railway line.

German-speaking doctors in Costa del Sol and Málaga: 15 verified practices and clinics →

Where to live?

Neighbourhood / town	Rent €/m²	Suits
Torremolinos / Benalmádena	17.9 / 17.2	life without a car, rail connection, close to the airport and Málaga
Fuengirola / Mijas	17.2 / 17.1	retirees, families, large international community
Marbella	23.6	high budget, international schools, restaurants
Estepona / Manilva	21.1 / 13.3	families, quieter coast, Manilva as the cheapest option in the west
Rincón de la Victoria	13.8	commuters to Málaga, everyday Spanish life by the sea
Torre del Mar / Nerja	13.7 / 15.1	retirees, nature lovers, the Axarquía with its mountain villages

Figures are Idealista averages for the municipalities (September 2026); Torre del Mar belongs to the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, and hillside urbanisations differ considerably. Málaga city itself is covered in the article Moving to Málaga.

What does life cost?

Item	Per month
Rent for a 2-room flat (approx. 70 m²)	approx. 930 € (Manilva) to 1,650 € (Marbella)
Utilities (electricity, water, internet)	approx. 150 €
Groceries (1 person)	approx. 300 €
Transport	approx. 150 € (own car)
Total (1 person)	approx. 1,530 to 2,250 €

Rent is calculated from the Idealista averages (13.3 € and 23.6 € × 70 m²), the other items are estimates. More in Cost of living in Spain.

Working

The economy depends heavily on tourism, hospitality, real estate and construction. German speakers mainly find jobs in hotels, with estate agents, property management companies, medical practices and service providers for the international clientele. Many jobs are seasonal and paid less than in Germany or Austria. For self-employed people with clients from the community, such as trades, tax help or care, demand is stable, though. More in Working in Spain and Autónomo.

Everyday life: climate, health, schools, transport

• Climate: in January average daily highs are 16.8 °C, in August 30.8 °C, with 534 mm of rain a year (AEMET, Málaga Aeropuerto station, 1981 to 2010). Depending on the town and hillside location, the figures vary slightly.
• Health: public hospitals are the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol in Marbella, the Hospital de Alta Resolución de Benalmádena and the Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía in Vélez-Málaga. More in Health insurance.
• Schools: the Deutsche Schule Málaga (German School Málaga) is in Ojén above Marbella and leads to the German International Abitur. British schools include Aloha College in Nueva Andalucía (Marbella) and Sunny View School in Torremolinos. More in with your family.
• Transport: the Cercanías commuter line C-1 connects Málaga, the airport, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. West of Fuengirola and in the east there is no train, only intercity buses and the A-7 and AP-7 motorways, so a car is practically a must there.

First steps on the ground

1. Apply for your NIE

   Policía Nacional appointments are available in several coastal towns; book your Cita previa early and, if necessary, take an appointment in a neighbouring town. Guide

2. Find a flat

   Check that the flat is a long-term rental and not a holiday let that ends in summer. Guide

3. Register at the town hall

   You do the Padrón at the Ayuntamiento of the municipality where you live, for example in Fuengirola, Mijas or Marbella. Guide

4. Open a bank account

   Many branches on the coast have English-speaking staff; the documents are the same as anywhere in Spain. Guide

5. Health card

   With your Padrón and social security you get the card at the Centro de Salud where you live. Guide

Typical mistakes

• Deciding after a holiday in August: in winter some urbanisations are almost empty.
• Underestimating hillside locations: many flats in Mijas or Benalmádena are hard to reach without a car.
• Only comparing Marbella: Estepona, Manilva or the east often offer more space for the same money.
• Putting off the Padrón: without it you miss out on the health card, a school place and many municipal discounts.

Compare: Málaga city, Cádiz, Almería. For retirement, also see Moving to Spain as a retiree.

Frequently asked questions