# Costa del Sol Compass

> Property, tax and residency on the Costa del Sol. Every figure sourced, dated and checked by someone who lives here.

Written by a named resident of the Costa del Sol. Every guide lists primary sources and the date its figures were last verified.

## Buying & Owning Property

- [The Real Cost of Buying Property in Málaga as an American (2026)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/cost-of-buying-property-malaga-american-2026/): Line-by-line 2026 costs for an American buying a €600,000 home in Málaga: 7% ITP, fees, Modelo 210, US reporting, and the currency spread worth $18,000.
- [What €600,000 Really Buys on the Costa del Sol in 2026 (Cost Breakdown by Town)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/what-600000-euros-buys-costa-del-sol-2026-cost-breakdown-by-town/): What €600,000 buys in Marbella, Fuengirola, Málaga, Estepona, Benalmádena and Mijas in 2026: floor space per town, buying costs, and annual ownership taxes.

## Tax & Estate

- [Modelo 210 for British Holiday-Home Owners: The Annual Tax Everyone Forgets (2026)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/modelo-210-british-holiday-home-owners-2026/): UK residents with a Spanish holiday home must file Modelo 210 every year, even if it sits empty. Rates, deadlines, penalties and a step-by-step filing guide.

## Visas & Residency

- [Non-Lucrative Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa for Americans (2026): Which One?](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/non-lucrative-visa-vs-digital-nomad-visa-americans-2026/): NLV or Digital Nomad Visa? 2026 income floors, Beckham tax access, and application steps compared side by side for Americans moving to the Costa del Sol.
- [The Right Order to Move to Spain: Why You Sort Tax Before Residency (2026)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/the-right-order-to-move-to-spain/): Why you settle your tax position before triggering Spanish residency: the 183-day switch, Beckham timing, visa routes, and property steps in order.

## Money & Banking

- [Opening a Spanish Bank Account as an American: FATCA-Friendly Banks (2026)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/open-spanish-bank-account-american-fatca/): Which Spanish banks accept US citizens under FATCA in 2026, the documents and fees to expect, and how to move your dollars into euros without losing thousands.

## Healthcare

- [Retiring to the Costa del Sol as an American (2026): Healthcare, Medicare, and the €157/Month Option](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/american-retire-spain-healthcare-costa-del-sol-2026/): Medicare pays nothing in Spain. What American retirees actually budget in 2026: private insurance by age, the convenio especial, and the Part B decision.

## Living Here

- [The Real Cost of Living on the Costa del Sol in 2026 (Monthly Budget by Household)](https://thecostacompass.com/guides/cost-of-living-costa-del-sol-2026/): Realistic 2026 monthly budgets for the Costa del Sol: singles from €1,530, couples from €2,365, families from €3,250, plus rent, schools and healthcare.

## About

- [Author & editorial policy](https://thecostacompass.com/vincent-viitala/)