Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Marbella attracts more people looking to live and work year-round
Marbella is becoming a place to live and work year-round, not just a destination for international holidaymakers.
The shift is bringing in younger, wealthy professionals whose money is linked to businesses, technology and finance, as well as executives and other workers.
About a quarter of Engel & Völkers’ clients seek a permanent home, while another estate agency estimates nearly a third of wealthy international buyers want a main residence or longer stays.
Holiday-home buyers still make up most of the market, but more residents can now work from the Costa del Sol.
Buyers increasingly expect reliable internet and a dedicated workspace, alongside services and facilities that make a home easy to manage.
Demand is spreading to nearby areas such as Nueva Andalucía, La Quinta, Marbella Este, Benahavís and Estepona as prime locations including the Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca have limited homes for sale.
Prime home prices in Marbella rose 8.1% in 2025, and year-round residents may make the market less dependent on one holiday season.
Marbella is increasingly attracting people who want to live and work there throughout the year, rather than use it only as a holiday destination.
The new residents include business owners, executives and professionals in technology, finance and other fields.
Engel & Völkers estimates that about 25% of its clients seek permanent residence, while another local property executive puts the share of wealthy international buyers at nearly one-third when long stays are included.
Reliable internet, dedicated workspaces and ready-to-use homes are becoming important features for buyers.
Demand is spreading from Marbella’s most established areas to nearby neighbourhoods and municipalities as prime properties remain scarce.
Knight Frank’s PIRI 100 index recorded an 8.1% rise in Marbella prime home prices in 2025.
- Who
- International business owners, executives, investors and other professionals are among those seeking to live in Marbella year-round.
- What
- Marbella is shifting from an international holiday destination towards a place for permanent residence and remote work.
- When
- The change is described as gradual; Engel & Völkers says permanent-residence seekers were almost absent a decade ago.
- Where
- Marbella, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, and nearby areas including Benahavís and Estepona.
- Why
- Buyers are drawn by the climate, amenities and ability to keep working from the area. The article also cites international schools, healthcare, year-round leisure options and access to Málaga’s international airport.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Engel & Völkers says people seeking permanent residence in Marbella were almost absent among its clients.
Knight Frank’s PIRI 100 index recorded an 8.1% rise in Marbella prime home prices.
Expansión published an article describing Marbella’s shift towards year-round residents and workers.
- Permanent-residence clients
- About 25% of Engel & Völkers Marbella’s clients
- High-net-worth international buyers
- Nearly one-third, including habitual residence and extended stays, according to Gilmar Marbella’s commercial director
- Prime home prices
- Up 8.1% in Marbella in 2025, according to Knight Frank’s PIRI 100 index
- Established prime areas
- The Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca
- Growing demand areas
- Nueva Andalucía, La Quinta, Marbella East, Benahavís and Estepona
What people are saying
Hace diez o quince años, una pregunta habitual era: ¿dónde quiero pasar mis vacaciones? Hoy se parece mucho más a: ¿dónde quiero vivir y trabajar?
El comprador tradicional venía cuando dejaba de trabajar; el nuevo viene precisamente porque puede seguir trabajando desde aquí
Hoy son descalificatorios si faltan