Costa del Sol · Property law · International clients
Your property lawyer for the Costa del Sol
A coastal apartment, a village house or a villa with room to grow? Make your Costa del Sol property decision with the right legal enquiries behind it.
You can contact us before choosing a property, including from abroad.
Velasco Lawyers assists international buyers, sellers and owners with property on the Costa del Sol. We start with the actual municipality, the property's documents and what you intend to do with it. Where planning or technical questions matter, we work with a local architect on the specific address and proposed works.
An independent Spanish law firm founded in 1993, serving clients across the Costa del Sol from our Almuñécar office.
Your property, your next step
Legal support from the first offer
to the next chapter.
The right enquiries depend on whether you are buying, preparing to sell, or changing a property you already own.
Compare more than the asking price
If your shortlist spans different towns, the same budget or renovation idea may involve different legal and technical enquiries. We investigate title, charges and contract terms, and identify planning questions to address before the purchase depends on an extension, conversion or intended use.
Discuss a purchaseBring the sale documents together
A buyer will need to understand what is included in the sale and how the property is documented. We help prepare the legal side of the transaction, including questions about later additions, separate plots, parking or storage. Flag gaps early so they can be investigated before completion is approaching.
Plan your saleTest your plans against the property
A sea view or a generous garden does not establish building potential. For renovations, extensions and new buildings, we coordinate legal enquiries with a local architect's assessment of the applicable planning instruments, the existing permissions and the proposed design.
Understand the checksFor the wider purchase and sale process, see our Spanish property-law services.
Why the address matters
One coastline. Several planning authorities.
Costa del Sol is a regional destination, not a single municipality with one set of building rules. A property's advertised location is a useful starting point; its actual address, municipal boundary and planning designation are what take the enquiry forward.
Start with the municipality and the setting
Traditional houses, apartment blocks and hillside developments raise different questions across the coast. Local plans distinguish building types and areas, while detailed instruments and later amendments can add another layer. A description such as 'Málaga property' should also be clarified: it may mean the city or somewhere else in the province.
For your property: Identify the municipality and the applicable local documents, then assess the building and your intended use. Our locality guides below explain useful starting questions for each area.
Look beyond a beachfront description
Coastal law distinguishes public-domain boundaries from protection, passage and access restrictions. Proximity to the sea alone does not tell you which control applies. Municipal planning permission and a coastal-law enquiry answer different questions.
For your property: For a relevant coastal property, establish the official boundaries and any permissions or restrictions affecting the address and proposed works. Do not rely on a universal distance measured from a photograph or listing.
Check the site as well as the building
A steep plot, access arrangements or proximity to a watercourse may warrant additional investigation. Official flood mapping can inform an enquiry, alongside technical advice and the property's circumstances; it is not a blanket certificate of safety for a town or an individual house.
For your property: Tell us what you plan to change, including access, terraces, retaining structures or the use of outdoor areas, so the legal and technical enquiries address the whole proposal.
Renovation, extensions and building records
Permission to build.
Paperwork that reflects the building.
When comparing homes across the coast, separate what is already authorised from what you hope to change. The permission for proposed works and the documentation of the finished building both deserve attention before your budget relies on a particular outcome.
Obra mayor and renovation works
New construction, extensions and structural alterations can require a technical project and the appropriate municipal authorisation. The scope of the work determines the route. Calling a job obra menor (minor works) does not automatically mean that no project or other permission is needed.
Licence or declaración responsable?
The applicable procedure depends on the works, the property and current rules. Some work may follow a responsible-declaration procedure rather than a prior licence, but that is not a general exemption from planning requirements or any other consent that applies.
Declaración de obra nueva
This is the formal declaration of a building or extension for its deed and Land Registry record. It is a separate question from permission to carry out the works. Recording a building does not, by itself, make unauthorised work lawful.
Two questions worth asking early
“Can I use the same renovation plan in two different towns?”
Use the design as a starting proposal, then have each address assessed separately. The mapped zone, the building's existing position and other applicable controls can change what is feasible and which procedure is needed.
“The listing says there is space for another building. What should I ask?”
Ask what documents support that statement and whether it describes a current permission, a proposal or an assumption. We can help frame the legal enquiries and coordinate the architect's investigation before that potential becomes part of your purchase decision.
People you can speak to
A Spanish legal team.
A clear conversation.
Maria Teresa Velasco provides the firm’s legal leadership. She is bilingual in Spanish and English, with an understanding of Swedish, Danish and French.
Our team can assist in English, Swedish, Danish, French and Spanish. Emmy coordinates our Scandinavian department, and Rebecca supports English–Spanish communication and client services.
Meet Velasco LawyersFrom a property client · Google review
“Their service has been very professional, efficient and helpful.”
Start with your plans
Tell us about your
Costa del Sol property.
You do not need a complete file to make the first enquiry. Tell us whether you are buying, selling or planning works, and mention any offer, deposit or completion deadline.
- We review your enquiry.Share the location and a short outline of what you need.
- We clarify the next steps.Our team discusses the legal questions and whether technical input is needed.
- We explain the proposed work and fees.You can decide how to proceed with a clear scope.
Prefer to speak to us?
+34 958 630 114[email protected]WhatsApp +34 687 307 756Monday–Friday, 09:00–14:00, Spain mainland time. For a time-sensitive matter, please call during office hours.
Your first enquiry
How can we help?
A short outline is enough. All fields are required unless marked optional.
Our team will review your message and contact you to discuss how we can help.
Before you get in touch
Your questions,
answered.
Where is your office?
Our office is in Almuñécar, on the Costa Tropical. We assist clients with property across the Costa del Sol, and you can start by phone, email or the enquiry form. We work with local architects where planning or technical input is needed.
Is there one planning regulation for the Costa del Sol?
No. Regional and national rules provide part of the framework, while the property's municipality and detailed planning documents determine further requirements. Start by identifying the exact location, the existing building and the intended use or works.
Can you help while I am still choosing a town?
Yes. Tell us which towns and property types you are considering and whether you intend to renovate, extend or let the property. We can discuss the enquiries those intentions raise; a final property-specific assessment needs an identified address and documents.
Does a property near the beach follow only the town’s planning rules?
Other controls may also matter. For an address affected by coastal restrictions, the legal enquiries need to consider the official boundaries and any additional permissions, alongside the municipal planning position and your intended works.
Can I contact you before choosing a property or paying a deposit?
Yes. Tell us the area, your plans and any deadlines. If you have found a property, share a short outline before signing or paying so that we can discuss the enquiries and proposed work. If you have already signed, explain what was agreed and any dates involved.