Incredible Mediterranean weather, culture and stunning natural surroundings, safe communities, world-class fine dining, beach clubs, international schools and golf courses – Marbella has it all. Discover the stats and details behind why more and more American buyers are investing in Marbella in 2025.
US buyers favoured property in the French Riviera, Monaco or Tuscany for decades. But in 2025, the question isn’t “Where should I invest in Europe?” – it’s “Why are so many Americans buying properties in Marbella and the Costa del Sol?”
Voted Best European Destination 2024, Marbella is becoming a frontrunner for Americans seeking both lifestyle and investment security buying Spanish property. With direct flights from New York to Málaga-Costa del Sol airport, competitive real estate values, and an unmatched Mediterranean lifestyle, Marbella is no longer Europe’s best-kept secret – it’s a hotspot attracting people worldwide. With a time difference of 6 hours ahead of New York, staying in touch with everyone back home is still manageable.
With more than 40,000 Americans expats registered as living in Spain in 2024, US demand has never been higher. In fact, according to a 2025 James Edition report, Andalusia is now the second most popular destination for property by US ex-pats after Tuscany, with Marbella at the heart of it all – just above Dubai.
It seems the Malaga region has the highest concentration of US expats in Spain, with 157 per 100,000 residents in 2024. It´s probable that most are located in Marbella where everyone speaks English, flower lined streets brighten your day and luxury villas enjoy sea views.
Why are so many American ex-pats choosing Marbella? In short, Marbella offers:
Read on to discover more.
It’s clear that Americans moving to Marbella aren’t just buying property – they’re buying into a new rhythm of life often considered the best lifestyle in Europe. Marbella offers the balance of cosmopolitan sophistication and authentic Andalusian charm for families, retirees, and investors alike, including:
For those looking for the dream lifestyle, Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona and Mijas areas on the Costa del Sol offer incredible high-end sea view homes, often sporting the latest in technology, materials and luxury living. The number of stunning properties with every feature you could imagine is outstanding, whether they be one of the very many modern new developments on the Costa del Sol or a resale property, the level of class and living is gobsmacking. Spread among the mountain range to Marbella’s north, most of these properties also enjoy the ideal south-facing orientation, maximising sunshine and efficiency throughout the year.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, a good portion of Marbella properties are in gated communities, whether they be villas in secure gated enclaves or apartments or townhouses: private communities are a cornerstone of Marbella’s property market. Not only that, with Marbella’s increasing international fame, we are also seeing a trend in ultra luxury branded residences in the Costa del Sol area, combining five-star resort style living, concierge services, and brand-infused lifestyle homes representing la creme de la creme in luxury living. With all this on offer, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the quality of homes in the Marbella area.
Compared with major U.S. cities like New York, Miami, or Los Angeles, Marbella offers exceptional value:
For US investors, this means a lifestyle upgrade without compromising on quality – and in many cases, access to higher standards of living at a lower cost.
Due to Marbella´s predominant international expat community, English is widely spoken throughout the Costa del Sol, especially Marbella. With so many expats living from all around the world, English is the go-to language in Marbella. This means that Americans can happily communicate dominating their mother-tongue: making life that much easier.
Safety is consistently one of Marbella’s biggest draws for US families. Spain ranks among the safest countries in Europe, with violent crime rates far below US levels. In Marbella, children play freely in plazas and community gardens, and communities are tight-knit, international, and welcoming.
Perhaps it is the unique combination of open Spanish culture, the weather, the predominance of international residents and visitors, or the friendly police presence visible throughout the streets, but Marbella feels like an extremely safe place to live. This stability offers peace of mind for American buyers seeking a happier lifestyle.
Marbella´s international schools include some of the most respected in Andalusia, many of which offer American curricula or bilingual programs. Top choices include:
For families relocating from the US, this means children can continue seamlessly on a path toward American or British universities, while gaining exposure to a multilingual, multicultural environment. Many also offer the option to add the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge model, so the education can be tailored to family aspirations.
One of the biggest changes in recent years has been the introduction of direct nonstop flights from New York to Costa del Sol – Málaga Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive from Marbella town centre.
Flight time: Around 8 hours.
Airlines: United and Lufthansa now offer regular direct services.
Price: Return tickets from as little as 700 USD direct, or less than half with stopovers.
This convenience has reduced the psychological distance that kept Marbella off American buyers’ radars for years. Long weekend visits or extended stays are now easy, making second-home ownership here more practical than ever.
From Málaga, connections to over 150 European and international destinations make Marbella an ideal hub for exploring Europe, North Africa, and beyond. RENFE AVE high-speed trains also allow you to quickly travel to all Spain´s main cities including arriving Madrid in 2.5 hours, and reach Europe´s captial cities on land either by car or fast train.
With it´s growing and stable real estate market, Marbella isn’t just a lifestyle choice – it’s a sound investment.
Resilient market: Marbella has shown consistent price stability and recovery even during broader economic downturns. Combined with its rising fame and timeless natural and cultural beauty, real estate in the Marbella area is a sound investment choice.
Rental demand: High year-round demand from holidaymakers and long-term residents drives attractive rental yields. With decades of being a jet-setter’s paradise and recent fame as the Best European destination, Marbella is increasingly attracting more holidaymakers, including golf holidays and sunshine escapes all year round. With recent improvements to Spanish rental property taxes for non-European investors, rental expenses can now be deducted from taxes, making ROI even more impressive.
Capital growth: With international demand rising, average property prices per square foot have been consistently around 10% per annum over the last five years, with some experiencing growth of up to 30% per annum. Since 2024, we saw demand from US buyers increase by 22%, indicating that Marbella’s property values are positioned for sustainable appreciation.
Compared with Italy’s coast or Portugal’s Algarve, Marbella combines investment security with lifestyle liquidity – a rare balance in Europe’s luxury real estate market.
Located within the Schengen zone, US residents can spend up to 90 days within any 180 days on a specific visa, so Americans wanting a part-time escape can easily manage regular visits.
For those wanting to stay longer, there are many visa options for US buyers to gain Spanish residency, even after the Golden Visa program ended. Spanish long term or residency visas available to Americans include Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirement Visa), Telework / Digital Nomad Visa, Employee Visa, Self-Employment Visa, Highly Qualified Worker Visa, Intra-Company Transfer Visa, Study and Research Visas, and Family Reunification Visas, among others.
These visa options allow Americans to make Marbella more than just a holiday destination. Check our guide to living and buying in Spain for more information, and contact your local Spanish embassy for personal advice on the correct visa for you.
In 2025, the answer to “Where is the best place to buy property in Spain?” is clear. Marbella offers:
For American buyers weighing up between Spain, Italy, Portugal, or France, Marbella is a very complete choice. It’s not just Europe’s sun-soaked playground – it’s a secure, profitable, and an inspiring place to call home.
Contact our professional real estate agents if you are considering visiting or buying property in the Costa del Sol. We are all fluent English speakers and available to guide you along your journey with professionalism and expertise.
Melinda Rendina Content Writer & Marketing Creator
Melinda is an experienced writer specialising in real estate, urban planning, lifestyle, architecture and design. A seasoned Marbella resident, she holds an Undergraduate Degree in Social Science with Honours in Politics, and a Masters degree in Urban Planning.
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