Expat Living Costa del Sol 

Everything you need to know about moving to southern Spain

For years, the Costa del Sol has been one of the most popular destinations for Dutch and Belgian people starting a new life abroad. The mild climate, high quality of life and the presence of a large international community make the region more than just a holiday destination. For an increasing number of people, it is the place where they live permanently, work or enjoy their retirement.

World Wide Properties operates in Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís and has been assisting Dutch and Belgian buyers with the purchase of their homes for many years. In this article, we bring together the key topics involved in moving to the Costa del Sol: from the cost of living and taxes to education, transport and daily life.

Why the Costa del Sol?

The Costa del Sol stretches for 150 kilometres along the Mediterranean coast in Andalusia, from Nerja in the east to the border with Cádiz in the west. The region enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year. The average winter temperature is around 14 degrees, whilst in summer the mercury rises to around 30 degrees. For those coming from the Netherlands or Belgium, this means a fundamentally different way of life: life largely takes place outdoors.

But the climate alone does not explain why so many people take this step. The Costa del Sol boasts excellent infrastructure. Málaga Airport is the third largest in Spain and has daily direct flights to Amsterdam, Brussels, Eindhoven and Antwerp. The A-7 motorway connects all the coastal towns, and the high-speed train (AVE) takes you to Madrid in under three hours.

In addition, the region offers a wide range of amenities: from international schools and high-quality healthcare to golf courses, marinas and a vibrant cultural and gastronomic scene.

The Dutch and Belgian community

Officially, there are more than 100,000 Dutch and Belgian nationals living in Spain, and that number is growing. Every year, thousands of Dutch people emigrate to Spain. According to the CBS emigration dashboard, Spain has been one of the most popular destinations for years. The Costa del Sol, particularly the area between Málaga and Estepona, attracts a large proportion of them.

Dutch and Belgian networks, clubs and associations are active in this area. There are Dutch-speaking GPs, shops selling Dutch products, and social circles where Dutch is the main language. This makes the transition considerably easier for newcomers.

At the same time, the Costa del Sol is an international region. In our experience, most of the buyers we assist are consciously seeking a balance: they value the Dutch-speaking community as a safety net, but also want to integrate into Spanish and international life.

Cost of living

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: how does the cost of living in Spain compare to that in the Netherlands or Belgium? The short answer: the cost of living is on average twenty to thirty per cent lower.

Here are a few specific examples. The famous Menú del Día, a three-course lunch including a drink, costs between 12 and 16 euros. A dinner for two in an average restaurant costs around 35 to 50 euros, whereas in the Netherlands or Belgium it can easily run to 50 to 80 euros. Car costs are significantly lower: road tax is often less than 50 euros a year and comprehensive insurance costs around 360 euros a year.

For a couple living mortgage-free, a monthly budget of 1,500 to 2,500 euros is realistic for a comfortable life. This includes utilities, groceries, insurance, eating out and daily expenses. A budget above 2,500 euros allows for extra luxuries such as frequent golfing, travel and domestic help.

It is important to be realistic, however: Marbella and the immediate surrounding area are more expensive than smaller coastal towns. And those who insist on Dutch products in specialist shops will pay more than those who opt for local produce.

Working as an expat

The Costa del Sol offers various opportunities for those looking to work.

As an employee of a Spanish company, you are covered by the Spanish social security system and are automatically insured for healthcare and a pension. Bear in mind that salaries in Spain are generally lower than in the Netherlands or Belgium.

As a self-employed person (autónomo), you must register with the Seguridad Social and pay monthly contributions. The starting rates for new entrepreneurs have been reduced in recent years. It is advisable to engage a gestor (administrative adviser) to handle registration and bookkeeping.

Taxes

Taxes are an issue that must be carefully considered whenever you move. Below are the key points to bear in mind, without going into individual circumstances.

The Beckham Law, officially known as the Special Tax Regime for Relocated Employees, offers foreign professionals moving to Spain the option of paying a flat rate of 24 per cent on their Spanish income for six years, instead of the standard progressive rates which can reach up to 47 per cent. Foreign income is exempt under this regime. The regime is available to employees, directors and, since 2023, also to digital nomads. Applications must be submitted within six months of starting work in Spain.

There is a tax treaty between the Netherlands and Spain that prevents double taxation. This is particularly relevant for pensioners with a Dutch pension and for entrepreneurs with income in both countries.

Spain has a wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio) for residents with net assets above a certain threshold. The rules and exemptions vary by autonomous region. Relatively favourable rates apply in Andalusia.

We always recommend consulting a tax adviser with experience in Dutch-Spanish or Belgian-Spanish tax matters. The subject is complex, and your personal circumstances will determine the most advantageous course of action.

Education and international schools

The Costa del Sol boasts one of the widest selections of international schools in Southern Europe. There are more than twenty international schools operating in the region, with curricula ranging from British and American to German, French, Swedish and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Some well-known schools in WWP's catchment area include Aloha College in Nueva Andalucía (British curriculum and IB), Swans International School in Marbella (British and IB), Laude San Pedro International School (British and Spanish), The English International College in Marbella (British curriculum), Atlas American School in Estepona (American curriculum) and Deutsche Schule Málaga in Elviria (German Abitur).

School fees vary greatly, from around €5,000 per year for a German school to €18,000 per year for the most exclusive institutions. State Spanish schools are free.

In our experience, choosing a school is often one of the first decisions families make, even before choosing a home. Many international schools have waiting lists of six to eighteen months. It is therefore wise to decide on a school early on and then choose a home to suit that decision.

Car and transport

Converting your driving licence is an important practical matter. EU driving licences are valid in Spain, but if you settle there as a resident, you must convert your licence to a Spanish one via the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). This is an administrative procedure that can be handled by a gestor (administrative advisor).

If you bring your car to Spain, there is a six-month deadline. Within that period, the car must be registered with a Spanish number plate and undergo the relevant Spanish roadworthiness test (ITV). The costs involved are generally lower than expected: road tax is a fraction of what you are used to in the Netherlands, and insurance premiums are considerably lower.

Daily traffic along the coast runs via the A-7 and the AP-7 toll motorway. In WWP's catchment area, between Estepona and Marbella, the main amenities are within ten to fifteen minutes' reach.

Daily life

Daily life on the Costa del Sol differs in a number of ways from what you are used to in the Netherlands or Belgium.

The language is Spanish. In tourist areas and when dealing with international service providers, you can get by with English, but for everyday life, dealing with government services and integrating into the local community, a basic knowledge of Spanish is valuable. There are countless language schools and private tutors available in the region.

The supermarkets offer an excellent range of products. Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi are widely represented. In addition, there are weekly markets selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and local produce. Anyone looking specifically for Dutch or Belgian products will find them in specialist shops, albeit at higher prices.

Social life largely takes place outdoors. Terrace cafés, beach clubs, sports clubs and golf clubs form the hub of social life. On the Costa del Sol, golf is not just a sport but a way of life. The region has the highest concentration of golf courses on the European continent.

Meal times in Spain differ from those in the Netherlands: lunch is around 2 pm, and dinner is often not until after 9 pm. Many restaurants serve the Menú del Día at lunchtime, an excellent and affordable way to discover the local cuisine.

Practical steps for moving

Moving to Spain involves a number of administrative steps. The most important ones in brief:

• Deregister with your local council in the Netherlands or Belgium.
• Apply for an NIE number, which is mandatory for all foreign nationals staying in Spain for more than three months.
• Empadronamiento, registration with your Spanish local council, compulsory if you are living here permanently.
• Arrange health insurance, depending on your situation, through the Seguridad Social, the CAK or a private insurer. We discuss this in detail in our article on healthcare on the Costa del Sol.
• Open a bank account with a Spanish bank.
• Arrange a driving licence and car as described above.

In conclusion

For many Dutch and Belgian people, living on the Costa del Sol is a conscious choice to embrace a different way of life. The region offers a combination of climate, amenities, an international community and quality of life that is hard to find elsewhere in Europe. At the same time, moving abroad requires thorough preparation and reliable support.

World Wide Properties specialises in the sale and purchase of properties in Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís and supports buyers with the practical matters involved in moving house. Would you like to know more about living on the Costa del Sol, or are you looking for a property that suits your situation? Please feel free to get in touch via the contact form, by email or by telephone. We'd be happy to help.

This article has been prepared by World Wide Properties Andalucía S.L. and is intended as general information. Regulations regarding taxation, social security and residency rights are subject to change. We always recommend discussing your personal situation with a tax adviser or gestor in Spain.

Sources: CBS migration figures, OECD Health at a Glance 2025, Numbeo Cost of Living Index 2024, Spanish tax legislation (Law 35/2006, Article 93), Central Administration Office (CAK), RIZIV.