New Developments
in Benalmádena Pueblo

Not through the property route. Spain's Golden Visa for real estate investment closed on 3 April 2025 under Organic Law 1/2025, so buying a home no longer qualifies you for residency on its own. Owning property does not affect your right to spend time in Spain, but periods of stay for non-EU nationals are governed by Schengen rules. Other residency routes exist, including non-lucrative, work-based and entrepreneurial categories, and each has its own requirements. Speak to an immigration lawyer about the route that suits your situation before assuming a purchase will support any residency application.

Right now the choice is narrower than usual. Our tracker shows no pre-construction or off-plan projects with licence in the town. Eleven developments are under construction and ten are completed and ready to occupy. Completed stock lets you inspect the finished unit, confirm build quality and move in sooner, but you pay the current price with less room for early-stage discounts. Units under construction can offer a later handover and staged payments, with the trade-off that you are buying on specification and a delivery date. Which suits you depends on your timeline and tolerance for waiting.

It varies by developer and by stage, so treat any figure as a typical pattern rather than a fixed rule. You usually pay a reservation deposit first, then a larger percentage on signing the private purchase contract. For units under construction, further instalments often fall due at set build milestones, with the balance paid at completion before the notary. On finished stock the schedule is shorter. Under-construction purchases should be protected by a bank guarantee on your stage payments. Your lawyer should confirm the exact schedule and guarantee in writing before you pay anything beyond the reservation.

Let the inventory guide you. El Higuerón has 19 of the 21 developments and prices from €449k, so it offers the widest choice and the most entry points if you want to compare several buildings. Reserva del Higuerón has one development from €1.2M, and La Sierrezuela has one from €1.9M, so at those levels you are choosing a single scheme rather than an area. If budget and comparison matter most, start in El Higuerón. If you have already set a higher budget, evaluate the specific property in the other two on its own merits.

On a new development you pay IVA, currently 10% of the price for residential property, plus AJD stamp duty, generally 1.2% in Andalucía. Add notary fees, land registry fees and your lawyer's fees. Many buyers budget roughly 12% to 14% above the purchase price in total, though your exact figure depends on the property and your circumstances. You will also face ongoing costs such as community fees, local property tax and utilities. Ask your lawyer for a written breakdown before signing. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

Yes, Spanish banks do lend to non-residents, but terms are typically more conservative than for residents. Expect a lower maximum loan-to-value, often in the region of 60% to 70% of the valuation, and a requirement to document income and assets. Lenders will assess your financial profile, and the valuation may differ from the purchase price. Approval and rates depend on your circumstances and the bank. It is sensible to speak to a mortgage adviser early, ideally before you reserve, so you know your borrowing capacity and can plan your deposit and timeline accordingly.