Costa Expat — Extranjería y Gestoría para Extranjeros

Blog

Legal Guides for Expats in Spain

NIE, residency, property, IRNR and trademarks — everything you need to know, updated for 2026.

Featured guides

Complete Guide to Getting a NIE in Spain [2026]
Immigration
· 12 min

Complete Guide to Getting a NIE in Spain [2026]

Everything you need to know about the NIE number in Spain — what it is, who needs it, how to apply, fees (€9.84), Form EX-15 and processing times by province on Costa del Sol.

Read full guide
Property Purchase Costs in Spain [2026] — ITP, Notary & All Hidden Fees
Property
· 10 min

Property Purchase Costs in Spain [2026] — ITP, Notary & All Hidden Fees

Complete breakdown of all costs when buying property in Spain as a foreigner in 2026: ITP 7% (Andalucía), VAT 10% new builds, notary, Land Registry and hidden fees. Real example for a €350,000 property in Marbella.

Read full guide
Moving to Costa del Sol as a British Expat [2026] — Complete Legal Guide
Area Guide
· 13 min

Moving to Costa del Sol as a British Expat [2026] — Complete Legal Guide

Everything British expats need to know about moving to Costa del Sol after Brexit: NIE, Non-Lucrative Visa, EHIC replacement, buying property, IRNR and life in Marbella, Fuengirola and Mijas.

Read full guide
Retire to Spain [2026] — Complete Guide for Expats from UK, Europe & Beyond
Immigration
· 14 min

Retire to Spain [2026] — Complete Guide for Expats from UK, Europe & Beyond

Complete guide to retiring in Spain in 2026. Best areas on Costa del Sol, Non-Lucrative Visa, Spanish pension system, healthcare for retirees, taxation of foreign pensions and cost of living comparison.

Read full guide
Non-Lucrative Visa Spain [2026] — Requirements, Income Proof & How to Apply
Immigration
· 13 min

Non-Lucrative Visa Spain [2026] — Requirements, Income Proof & How to Apply

Complete guide to Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) in 2026. Minimum income requirements (€2,400/month), accepted proof of income, health insurance requirements, application process at Spanish consulates, and renewals.

Read full guide
Mortgage in Spain for Non-Residents [2026] — How to Buy with Financing
Property
· 12 min

Mortgage in Spain for Non-Residents [2026] — How to Buy with Financing

Complete guide to getting a mortgage in Spain as a non-resident in 2026. Maximum LTV 60-70%, best banks (Sabadell, BBVA, Santander), required documents, NIE and account requirements, and the purchase timeline.

Read full guide

More guides

Non-Resident Tax Spain (IRNR) [2026] — Who Pays, How Much & PenaltiesProperty
9 min

Non-Resident Tax Spain (IRNR) [2026] — Who Pays, How Much & Penalties

If you own property in Spain but don't live there, you must file the IRNR (Modelo 210) annually — even if it's empty. Rates: 19% for EU residents, 24% for non-EU. Deadline: 31 December each year.

Read
Residency in Spain [2026] — Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa & Non-Lucrative ComparedImmigration
11 min

Residency in Spain [2026] — Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa & Non-Lucrative Compared

Spain offers 5 main residency routes in 2026: EU registration, Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa and family reunification. Compare income requirements, processing times, right to work and costs for each option.

Read
Golden Visa Spain [2026] — How to Get Residency Through Property Investment in MarbellaImmigration
11 min

Golden Visa Spain [2026] — How to Get Residency Through Property Investment in Marbella

Complete guide to the Spanish Golden Visa in 2026: €500,000 minimum investment, qualifying properties in Marbella, processing time (2–4 months), family coverage, right to work and how it compares to other residency routes on Costa del Sol.

Read
Beckham Law Spain [2026] — The 24% Flat Tax for Digital Nomads in MálagaBusiness
9 min

Beckham Law Spain [2026] — The 24% Flat Tax for Digital Nomads in Málaga

The Beckham Law allows new Spanish residents (including Digital Nomad Visa holders) to pay a flat 24% income tax for 6 years instead of progressive rates up to 47%. Málaga is Spain's top destination for this regime. Here is everything you need to know.

Read
Power of Attorney Spain [2026] — Buy Property in Marbella Without TravellingProperty
8 min

Power of Attorney Spain [2026] — Buy Property in Marbella Without Travelling

A power of attorney (poder notarial) allows a trusted representative to sign on your behalf at the Spanish notary, enabling you to buy property in Marbella, Fuengirola or anywhere on Costa del Sol without being present in Spain. Here is how it works.

Read
Nota Simple Spain [2026] — What It Is and Why You Must Get One Before BuyingProperty
7 min

Nota Simple Spain [2026] — What It Is and Why You Must Get One Before Buying

The Nota Simple is the most important document in any Spanish property purchase. It reveals the legal owner, charges, mortgages, embargoes and planning restrictions on a property. Never sign an arras or make a deposit without it. This guide explains exactly what it contains and how to get one.

Read
Argentine Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency, Property & Business on Costa del SolArea Guide
12 min

Argentine Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency, Property & Business on Costa del Sol

Complete guide for Argentine nationals moving to Spain in 2026: NIE process, Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, Argentine documentation apostillado, double taxation treaty and life in Marbella, Fuengirola and Málaga.

Read
German Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Property Investment, NIE & Tax in MarbellaArea Guide
10 min

German Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Property Investment, NIE & Tax in Marbella

Guide for German nationals buying property or relocating to Costa del Sol in 2026: EU Registration (no visa needed), NIE process, ITP 7%, IRNR non-resident tax (19% EU rate), German-Spanish double taxation treaty and the most popular German expat areas in Marbella and Mijas.

Read
Emigrar a España desde Venezuela [2026] — NIE, Visas y Comunidades en Costa del SolArea Guide
13 min

Emigrar a España desde Venezuela [2026] — NIE, Visas y Comunidades en Costa del Sol

Guía completa para venezolanos que emigran a España en 2026: NIE, visados disponibles, apostilla SAREN, convenio de doble imposición, comunidades venezolanas en Málaga y Costa del Sol.

Read
Emigrar a España desde Colombia [2026] — NIE, Residencia Legal y Vida en Costa del SolArea Guide
13 min

Emigrar a España desde Colombia [2026] — NIE, Residencia Legal y Vida en Costa del Sol

Guía completa para colombianos que emigran a España en 2026: NIE, visas disponibles, apostilla Cancillería, acuerdo Iberoamérica, convenio de doble imposición España-Colombia y comunidades en Costa del Sol.

Read
Dutch Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Property, NIE & Tax for Netherlands NationalsArea Guide
10 min

Dutch Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Property, NIE & Tax for Netherlands Nationals

Complete guide for Dutch nationals moving to or investing in Costa del Sol, Spain. EU registration, NIE, Box 3 vs IRNR taxation, Dutch communities in Fuengirola and Marbella, and property purchase step-by-step.

Read
Nordic Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Retire to Spain from Norway, Sweden or DenmarkArea Guide
11 min

Nordic Expats Guide to Costa del Sol [2026] — Retire to Spain from Norway, Sweden or Denmark

Complete guide for Norwegian, Swedish and Danish expats retiring or buying property on Costa del Sol. EU vs EEA registration, pension taxation, double taxation treaties, and the Fuengirola Scandinavian community.

Read
American Expats Spain Guide [2026] — Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa & Moving to Costa del SolImmigration
12 min

American Expats Spain Guide [2026] — Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa & Moving to Costa del Sol

Complete guide for US citizens moving to Spain in 2026. Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, Golden Visa €500K+, FATCA compliance, IRS expatriation rules, and American community in Marbella and Málaga.

Read
Italian Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency & Property on Costa del SolArea Guide
10 min

Italian Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency & Property on Costa del Sol

Complete guide for Italian nationals moving to Spain. EU registration made easy, IRNR 19% EU rate, Italian community in Málaga, property purchase process and double taxation treaty Spain-Italy.

Read
Private Health Insurance Spain for Expats [2026] — Sanitas vs Adeslas vs Cigna ComparedImmigration
11 min

Private Health Insurance Spain for Expats [2026] — Sanitas vs Adeslas vs Cigna Compared

Complete guide to private health insurance in Spain for expats in 2026. Comparison of Sanitas, Adeslas, AXA, Cigna and DKV — costs, coverage, English-speaking doctors and NLV requirements explained.

Read
South African Expats in Marbella [2026] — Golden Visa, NIE & Property GuideArea Guide
9 min

South African Expats in Marbella [2026] — Golden Visa, NIE & Property Guide

Guide for South African nationals moving to or investing in Marbella, Spain. Visa options, NIE process, Golden Visa €500K property, South African community in Marbella, and Spain-South Africa double taxation treaty.

Read
French Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency & Property on Costa del SolArea Guide
10 min

French Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency & Property on Costa del Sol

Complete guide for French nationals moving to or buying property in Spain. EU registration, NIE, Beckham Law, double taxation treaty France-Spain, and French community in Málaga and Costa del Sol.

Read
International Inheritance in Spain [2026] — Foreigners' Complete Legal GuideProperty
13 min

International Inheritance in Spain [2026] — Foreigners' Complete Legal Guide

Complete guide to international inheritance in Spain for foreigners in 2026. EU Succession Regulation 650/2012, Andalucía 99% ISD reduction, Spanish will (testamento), NIE for heirs, and processing timeline for Spanish property inheritance.

Read

Topics

NIETIESpainexpatsMarbellaFuengirolaCosta del SolpropertyITPbuying property SpaintaxesIRNRnon-resident taxModelo 210residency SpainDigital Nomad VisaGolden VisaNon-Lucrative VisaMálagaBritish expats
WhatsAppEmail