Immigration to Marbella

By Salma Hwedi November 19th, 2020 · 4m. reading time

You’re planning to buy your Dream House in Marbella…
Under the Freedom of Movement Act, Swiss and EEA nationals
(European Economic Area: European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
don’t need any permit to visit, live, work or study in Spain.
Almost everyone else does.

Drumelia Real Estate

is dealing with both types of clients and always happy to help.
Let’s start with general information.

People choose Spain because of the high quality but relatively cheap living,
great weather, easy access, safe environment, relaxing atmosphere,

health benefits

recommended by the World Health Organisation,
education,

investment opportunities

and

impressive choice of properties
.

Immigration to Spain has increased significantly in the 21st century.
In 1998, 1.6% of the population were immigrants.
According to the United Nations, this number jumped to 12.8% in 2018,
becoming one of the highest in Europe.
Before 2017, the fastest-growing groups were Moroccan, Romanian,
Ecuadorian and British; now Venezuelans, Colombians, Italians,
Ukrainians and Argentinians.

Preferred destinations are touristic or economically developed areas:
Madrid, Catalonia, Mediterranean coasts and islands.
Latest immigration settled mainly in
Catalonia (27.6%), Madrid (16.9%), Andalusia (12.9%) and Valencia (10.4%).

Extremadura, Asturias, Galicia, Basque Country, Castile and Leon
have significantly fewer immigrants.

Geographic distribution also depends on nationality.
Madrid and Catalonia attract Romanians, Africans and Latin Americans;
Andalusia attracts Europeans and Moroccans.
75% of Pakistani immigrants prefer Catalonia.
Brits buy in Alicante and Malaga, Germans in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Russians prefer Catalonia, Valencia and Malaga.

According to Spain’s Property Registrars, 34% of properties sold in Malaga
province two years ago were purchased by foreigners.
Despite Brexit, most were British.
Today, the Costa del Sol market is more cosmopolitan,
with Scandinavian, Belgian, French, Dutch, American,
Russian and Finnish buyers.
New direct flights announced by

Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines

bring new potential to Marbella.

Interesting facts:

• According to the Financial Times, Spain is the most favoured destination for
  
  West Europeans considering relocation
  .
• The Washington Post called Spain “the most welcoming European country”
  with 86% support for refugees (2019).
• Spain automatically grants nationality to children born in Spain
  to immigrant parents.
• Immigrants from Latin America, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea
  and Western Sahara may obtain nationality after two years,
  as well as citizens of Andorra, Portugal and Sephardic origin.

EU citizens are subject to a specific legal system
based on rights recognized in EU treaties.

Non-EU citizens need residence in Spain:

• Temporary (longer than 90 days and shorter than 5 years;
  renewable depending on circumstances).
• Permanent (long-term residence allowing indefinite
  residence and work in Spain).

Residence and work permit types:

• Combined residence and work visa
  (visado de trabajo y residencia).
• Student visa (visado de estudios).
• Residence visa (visado de residencia)
  for family reunification or retirement.