Question 1

How far is the beach and can you walk there?

Accepted Answer

Playa de Torreblanca is 1.9 kilometres away, a 23-minute walk or seven minutes by car. The walk is manageable in good weather, but the elevated position means most people drive for daily trips to the coast. The development sits inland of the AP-7 motorway, so you trade beachfront convenience for hillside views and quieter surroundings.

Question 2

What sizes are the apartments?

Accepted Answer

Interior space runs from 83 to 130 square metres across two- and three-bedroom layouts, with terraces between 33 and 79 square metres. The smaller homes suit couples or individuals, while the larger three-bedroom units work for families who need separate rooms and outdoor space for year-round living. Every home includes either south-east or south-west orientation.

Question 3

What is within walking distance in Fuengirola?

Accepted Answer

A supermarket is 700 metres away, about a nine-minute walk for provisions. Everything else requires a car: the beach is 23 minutes on foot, Fuengirola town centre is 5.5 kilometres, and the marina sits 5.1 kilometres along the coast. The British College is 2.9 kilometres for families with school-age children, and Hospital Vithas Xanit International is 3.9 kilometres.

Question 4

Do the homes have private gardens or shared pools?

Accepted Answer

The development offers communal pools and landscaped gardens rather than private plots. That means shared maintenance costs and no responsibility for upkeep of outdoor spaces, which suits buyers who travel frequently or prefer not to manage a garden. The large terraces give private outdoor space without the work that comes with ground-floor gardens.

Question 5

How far is Málaga Airport from here?

Accepted Answer

Málaga Airport is 13 kilometres away, about 30 minutes by car along the AP-7 motorway. The route is straightforward and makes frequent travel practical for owners who use the home as a lock-up-and-leave base or divide their time between Spain and another country.

Question 6

How does buying off-plan work in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Buying off-plan in Fuengirola means reserving a property before or during construction. You pay a reservation deposit (typically €6,000 to €12,000), then sign a private purchase contract within 30 days and pay a further 10 to 20% of the purchase price. Staged payments follow the construction milestones. The final 60 to 70% is paid at notary completion when the keys are handed over.

Question 7

Are my deposits protected if the developer goes bust?

Accepted Answer

Under Spanish law (Law 57/1968 and its 2015 successor), all off-plan deposits must be covered by a bank guarantee or insurance policy. Your lawyer must verify this before you pay any money. If the developer fails to deliver, you can claim 100% of your deposit plus 6% annual interest. Never transfer funds without a confirmed guarantee in your name.

Question 8

What building guarantees come with a new-build?

Accepted Answer

Spanish law mandates three tiers: a 10-year structural guarantee (Seguro Decenal) for serious structural defects, a 3-year guarantee for habitability issues (waterproofing, insulation, installations), and a 1-year guarantee on finishes and fixtures. These run from the date the licence of first occupation (licencia de primera ocupación) is issued.

Question 9

What taxes apply to new-build property in Spain?

Accepted Answer

New-build purchases are subject to 10% IVA (VAT) on the purchase price, plus 1.2% AJD (stamp duty) in Andalucía. Parking spaces or storage sold separately may attract 21% IVA. Add notary, land registry and legal fees (1 to 2%), budget 12 to 15% on top of the purchase price in total acquisition costs.

Question 10

Can I customise finishes and layout before completion?

Accepted Answer

Most developers allow personalisation during the early construction phase, choices of floor tiles, kitchen units, bathroom fixtures, paint colours and sometimes layout tweaks. The window for changes is typically 3 to 6 months after signing the contract. Structural changes are rarely possible once work has started. Your sales representative will provide a customisation deadline and specification sheet.

Question 11

How long will construction take?

Accepted Answer

Typical build time in coastal Spain is 18 to 30 months from licence grant to completion. Delays of 3 to 6 months are common due to weather, supply-chain or permit issues. Your contract should specify a longstop completion date and the compensation you are owed for any overrun. Always check whether the building licence has already been granted before reserving.

Question 12

What should I check before signing an off-plan contract?

Accepted Answer

Key due-diligence points: (1) confirm the building licence is granted, not just applied for; (2) verify all deposits are bank-guaranteed in your name; (3) check the developer's track record and financial standing; (4) review the specification sheet and what is included in the price; (5) confirm the estimated completion date and longstop clause; (6) have an independent Spanish lawyer review the contract before you sign anything.

Question 13

Do I need a NIE and Spanish bank account to buy off-plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both are required before the final notary signing. You can reserve with a passport, but your Spanish NIE (foreigner tax number) is needed for the private purchase contract and your Spanish bank account for the staged transfers. Your lawyer can obtain your NIE with a power of attorney in 2 to 4 weeks. Open the bank account on your first trip to Spain or remotely via certain Spanish banks.

Question 14

Can non-residents get a Spanish mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spanish banks lend to non-residents at typical LTVs of 60 to 70% of the lower of purchase price or valuation (vs 80% for residents). Rates are competitive with the rest of the eurozone. You will need 6 months of bank statements, tax returns and proof of income, pre-approval takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Question 15

Should I get pre-approval before viewing?

Accepted Answer

Recommended for serious buyers. A mortgage in principle confirms your budget, signals credibility to sellers and shortens completion. We can introduce you to specialist non-resident mortgage brokers familiar with the local market.

Question 16

What taxes will I pay buying a property in Fuengirola?

Accepted Answer

Resale property in Andalucía: ITP (transfer tax) at 7%. New-build: 10% IVA + 1.2% AJD (stamp duty). Plus notary, land registry and legal fees of roughly 1 to 2%. Budget 10 to 13% on top of the asking price for total acquisition costs.

Question 17

What ongoing costs should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Annual IBI (council tax) is typically 0.4 to 1.1% of cadastral value. Community fees on apartments and gated villas range €100 to €600/month depending on amenities. Non-resident owners pay an annual income tax based on cadastral value, plus utilities and home insurance.

Question 18

Are agent fees paid by the buyer or seller?

Accepted Answer

In Spain the seller pays the agent commission (typically 3 to 6% + VAT), already baked into the asking price. Buyers do not pay agent fees on resale or new-build.

HIGUERON WEST

Overview

What this home includes

Specifications

Fuengirola

HIGUERON WEST: Frequently Asked Questions

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